ART
Helga Stentzel’s Hang-On depicts a bear trying to hang on as the snow melts. She is one of the artists creating eco-friendly NFT art for the environment. Image: Artist
Artists create eco-friendly NFT art to raise funds for Trees for the Future and other environmental causes on World Environment Day.
BY KAZAD
Three well-known digital artists—Helga Stentzel, Vincent Bal, and Javier Jaen—are launching a combined NFT (non-fungible token) drop on World Environment Day to raise money for Trees for the Future (TREES). TREES is a regenerative agroforestry nonprofit that works closely with farmers to plant trees and transform lives. The project, organized under the hashtag #NFT4ThePlanet, will host its drop on MakersPlace, a marketplace known for its curated digital collections.
Why Choose Eco-Friendly NFT Art?
A central question the artists have contended with since announcing the project is why they chose NFTs over traditional art forms such as photography, painting, or sculpture. Historically, NFTs have faced intense criticism for contributing to environmental pollution. Environmental groups have been nearly unanimous in their condemnation, pointing to the massive carbon footprints and energy consumption required for blockchain transactions as the primary bones of contention.
However, the landscape of digital collectibles has changed significantly. The artists in this project see a unique opportunity to use eco-friendly NFT art as a vehicle to save the planet. By embracing modern, sustainable blockchain technology, the artists and TREES feel the positive financial impact of the project—which funds global reforestation—far outweighs the minimal energy costs of the modern networks.
The Environment and the Evolution of NFTs
The excessive computing power once required for every transaction made NFTs a target for environmentalists. While early digital assets were undeniably unfriendly to the climate, the industry has shifted toward “clean” or “green” alternatives. This evolution is best exemplified by the Ethereum network, which transitioned to a “Proof-of-Stake” system. This move reduced the network’s energy consumption by more than 99.9%, making it a viable platform for eco-friendly NFT art that aligns with global sustainability goals.
The lucrative allure of the digital space originally sparked a “gold rush” that saw even blue-chip artists like Damien Hirst enter the market. Early projects often utilized energy-heavy systems like Bitcoin, which consumed as much electricity as the entire nation of Sweden. Today’s participants are more conscious, taking precautions to ensure minimal emissions. By selecting platforms that prioritize energy efficiency, the #NFT4ThePlanet project ensures that the creation of art does not come at the cost of the Earth’s health.
Philanthropy through Cryptocurrency
Trees for the Future is one of the leading organizations now accepting cryptocurrency as a form of donation. They view this as an innovative and highly tax-efficient way to raise funds for farmers across the world. According to the organization, donating assets like Bitcoin, Ethereum, ChainLink, and Litecoin allows donors to support environmental causes without the heavy tax burden often associated with traditional asset liquidation.
One of the major advantages of this eco-friendly NFT art initiative is the direct impact the money has on the ground. Every $700 donated provides a farmer with the tools, seeds, and training needed to transition to regenerative agriculture. Through the “Forest Garden” four-year training program, TREES facilitates the planting of 2,500 to 4,000 trees per farm. These trees restore nutrients to the soil and sequester approximately 145 metric tons of carbon over a 20-year period, effectively turning digital art into physical life.
Featured Artists Creating Eco-Friendly NFT Art
Helga Stentzel
Helga Stentzel is a London-based artist famous for what she calls “household surrealism.” For this drop, she will offer two NFTs based on her internationally acclaimed Clothing Line Animals series. These works, which transform laundry into whimsical creatures, have been featured in major magazines and galleries worldwide.
Her featured works, Smoothie and Hang On, carry deep environmental messages. Hang On, the latest piece in the series, is dedicated to Ursula—a polar bear hanging onto her homeland despite the melting ice. To bridge the digital and physical worlds, the winning bidder will receive a special one-of-a-kind signed print in a custom size of up to 84×84 cm. Helga remains convinced that using eco-friendly NFT art is the right path, noting that environmental charities need every bit of financial support possible to fight climate change.
Javier Jaen
Javier Jaen is a master of visual metaphors, and his contribution to the project includes his best-known personal works, The Time is Now and Mother Earth. The Time is Now serves as a stark reminder of the urgency required to address the climate crisis. The work is presented as a 1-minute loop video, and the winning bidder will also receive a physical clock signed by the artist, emphasizing the ticking clock of environmental degradation.
His second piece, Mother Earth, highlights the fragility of our planet and our collective duty to protect it. By minting these works as eco-friendly NFT art, Javier aims to reach a new generation of “crypto-philanthropists” who are eager to use their digital wealth for tangible environmental good. His work reflects a blend of editorial precision and deep-seated activism. You can see more of his works on his artist’s website.
Vincent Bal
Award-winning Belgian film director and “Shadowologist” Vincent Bal brings his unique style to the drop with NFTs based on his favorite works, Hair Fork Farmer and Solar Bear. Vincent is famous for creating intricate doodles out of the shadows cast by everyday objects. Solar Bear is a particularly poignant piece that addresses the melting North Pole. In the artwork, the bear appears to ask, “Where is the ice?”—a simple but haunting question that highlights the reality of global warming.
Eco-friendly NFT Art for World Environment Day
Vincent’s participation gives credence to the diversity of the project, showing how different artistic disciplines can unite under the banner of eco-friendly NFT art. By listing these works on World Environment Day, a day established by the United Nations to encourage global awareness and action, Vincent and his peers are helping to redefine how the art world interacts with technology and the environment.
To make participation in the World Environment Day event expansive, organizers have invited other artists to create NFTs in support of their favorite environmental cause. The artists will join the drop by listing their NFTs on the platform of their choice on June 5 using the #NFT4thePlanet hashtag on Twitter and Instagram. The drop will happen on World Environment Day, a day started by the United Nations (UN) to remind people to take better care of our planet.
Already, more than 18 NFT artists, including Valentina Loffredo, the successful NFT artist Zigor Samaniego, and the well-known street & NFT artist Kaybid. The artists are using their works to highlight how humans are destroying nearly every ecological system. The artists will donate proceeds from their NFT drops to their favorite environmental charities, including Trees for the Future, The Rainforest Foundation, WWF, various carbon removal projects via Offsetra, the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, and Spark Eco—an environmental crypto fund.
A Global Movement for the Planet
To ensure the event has a broad impact, the organizers have invited a wide array of creators to join the #NFT4ThePlanet movement. More than 18 additional artists, including Valentina Loffredo, the successful Zigor Samaniego, and street artist Kaybid, have pledged their support. These artists will list their works across various platforms on June 5, donating proceeds to various environmental charities, including the Rainforest Foundation, WWF, and Spark Eco—an environmental crypto fund.
Alexa Castellano from TREES expressed her excitement about the initiative, stating that the organization is thrilled to see talented artists finding creative ways to fundraise for their mission. By using their talents to support the planting of trees and empowering vulnerable communities, these artists are proving that digital innovation can be a powerful force for good.
Three artists create NFTs to help preserve the environment. What do you think about NFTs and cryptocurrencies? Join the conversation. Leave a comment.
