Does Banksy’s latest mural have an environmental message?

@thredmag News vans, school kids and A LOT of selfie sticks. This morning anonymous street artist #Banksy confirmed he was behind this tree mural in #Finsburypark, London. Naturally, we went to scout it out. What do you think of the artist’s latest work? And more importantly – how much do you think that house has gone up in value?! 🤯 #londonstreetart #banksyart ♬ walking on a dream by empire of the sun – sophie

Trees, of course, are integral to our ability to survive on Earth because they absorb carbon dioxide and make the air breathable, which is of particular necessity in heavily polluted cities where traffic flow is high.

They also have a significantly positive impact on climate regulation in built-up areas that are otherwise typically devoid of vegetation because the water vapour released through their leaves produces a cooling effect that can reduce air conditioning needs by 30 per cent.

‘The piece makes people stop and think “hang on, we live in one world, we live in one environment. It is vulnerable and on the cusp of serious damage being done to it,’ said former Labour Party leader, Jeremy Corbyn, who represents the constituency in Parliament.

‘Environmental politics is about densely populated urban areas like this, just as much as it is about farmland, woodland, and hedges.’

I’ve just been to see the new Banksy mural in my ‘hood between Archway and Finsbury Park, showing a woman painting foliage behind a pollarded tree. It really hits home. Can we save the environment? Will we greenwash away till the demise of nature and us all? pic.twitter.com/zJgVGvYGMh

— Priya Khanchandani (@Hiyapriya) March 18, 2024

Not only is it thought that the artwork makes a statement about deforestation – one of the most damaging practices for the environment, robbing wildlife and ecosystems of vital sustenance and habitats – but other interpretations suggest that it points to the urgency of confronting corporate greenwashing (marketing that makes products or activities seem more eco-friendly than they are).

Whatever the case, the real question is: will it wake more of us up to the severity of the ecological emergency and the key role that trees play in lessening the blow of its repercussions?

Provoking contemplation on nature, resilience, and human intervention, my answer would be yes.

But given Just Stop Oil’s notorious (and comparable) orange paint sprays haven’t yet succeeded in getting the message across, perhaps Banksy should aim his spray paint can a little higher.