TERRA Launches Digital Exhibition “35 Christmas Cards by Jorge Paiva”

The TERRA Associate Laboratory presents the digital exhibition “35 Christmas Cards by Jorge Paiva — 35 Years, 35 Christmases, 35 Cards, 35 Warnings,” a showcase that brings together over three decades of environmental messages sent by the esteemed botanist and CFE – Centre for Functional Ecology researcher Jorge Paiva. This unique collection, marked by science, awareness, and civic activism, is now accessible to the public in an immersive digital format.

For more than three decades, Jorge Paiva sent a festive card each Christmas to various prominent figures worldwide. However, these cards were not just seasonal greetings; they were warnings. Each card reflected his deep concern for environmental issues affecting the planet—many of which are caused by human activities—and represented a gesture of civic activism that has defined his career. Through these cards, Professor Jorge Paiva sought to raise awareness about the urgent need to build a more just, conscious, biodiverse, and truly sustainable society.

Explore all the cards here and immerse yourself in this unique testament to science, awareness, and citizenship. Each message is accompanied by a carefully selected photograph, often taken by Jorge himself during the numerous scientific expeditions he carried out around the world.

Although it was believed that 2024 would mark the end of this cycle of postcards, Jorge Paiva was unable to stop. His drive to continue raising awareness, inspiring, and mobilizing was stronger than ever. Therefore, in this digital exhibition, the public will also have the opportunity to view the 36th Christmas Card, kindly made available to TERRA. The Professor continues his environmental advocacy with the bilingual manifesto “EXTINCT SPECIES and NEW SPECIES,” where he emphasizes our absolute dependence on biodiversity—from essential resources to the biological complexity we carry in our bodies.

A New Digital Space for Science

Jorge Paiva’s exhibition inaugurates the new digital exhibition area on the TERRA website, developed to expand access to scientific knowledge through more engaging visual formats. The aim is to provide a smooth, guided navigation experience, bringing the public closer to scientific content through clear and visually appealing digital narratives.

This new area on TERRA’s website serves a dual purpose: to permanently showcase the outstanding work of TERRA’s researchers and to overcome the limitations of physical space. From now on, material exhibitions carried out by our Research Units and members will also be made available digitally, allowing the content to remain accessible even after in-person displays close. Additionally, this format allows scientists, policymakers, and citizens from anywhere in the world to explore these scientific narratives in an immersive way, unrestricted by geographical limitations.

This transition to the online environment ensures the preservation and widespread dissemination of knowledge produced at TERRA, reinforcing the Associated Laboratory’s commitment to accessibility and the enhancement of its scientific collection. Both past exhibitions and future initiatives will be available, ensuring continuity and appreciation of the work produced by TERRA’s researchers and Research Units.

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