THE countdown continues to the opening of Michael Pinsky's immersive art installation, Pollution Pods, on Brownsea Island.

A specially-convened panel has also been announced for Poole's Lighthouse Arts Centre, where members will address whether art can inspire action, as part of a 'Climate in Crisis' project.

Last seen at the UN Climate Action Summit in New York where it was visited by climate activist Greta Thunberg, Pollution Pods feature a series of connected geodesic domes that recreate the air quality, smell and temperature of five major cities – Tautra, London, Beijing, São Paulo and New Delhi.

Pollution Pods will be hosted by the National Trust on Brownsea Island from October 25-29.

Meanwhile, the panel will meet on Saturday, October 26, from 6.30-8pm.

Chaired by Alice Stevens, senior lecturer at Arts University Bournemouth, the speakers include the artist himself, Michael Pinsky, and Molly Scott Cato, Green MEP for South West of England and Gibraltar.

Alice said: "Our students will graduate into a rapidly changing world where the negative impact from human activity has destabilised the climate and ecology of the planet.

"Whilst we recognise that some initiatives have been implemented to slow environmental catastrophe, there is so much more to be done and our graduates need to be proactive in addressing the role they can play as creative's.

"I am delighted to be chairing an event which will see us debate how creativity, such as the Pollution Pods, can enable audiences to engage with complex environmental issues and play a pivotal role in driving forward action over climate change.”

The panel will share the themes considered in the creation of Pollution Pods and talk about ideas that came out of the recent UN Climate Action Summit in New York before opening the floor to attendees to offer their own thoughts on pollution and climate change and discuss global issues at a local level.