9 Thought-Provoking Street Art Murals You Should Know

We look at street art that tells the troublesome truth about society’s impact on the planet. Using walls as their canvases, many artists are reaching out to the masses through their thought-provoking murals.
These nine murals highlight issues such as climate change, water pollution, air pollution, and urbanization’s impact on the environment. Delivered to a wide audience through large-scale painting upon once blank walls, the messages are hard to ignore.

The World is Burning by Eduardo Kobra

Sao Paulo-based street artist Eduardo Kobra creates large-scale murals that are filled with vibrant color and life. This eye-catching piece is a nod towards global warming and the polar bears’ desperate struggle to avoid extinction.

Urbanization is Killing Us by Blu

Blu is the pseudonym of an Italian artist who conceals his real identity. His ‘epic scale murals’ are easily recognizable, and his work expresses uncomfortable truths about political events and other social controversies.

The World is Going Down the Drain by Pejac

Pejac takes everyday outdoor features and manipulates them in subtle and diverse ways. This poignant piece depicts a portrait of the world appearing to run down a sewage drain. Pejac’s paintings can be found in Moscow, Paris, Istanbul, London, and Milan. His paintings always touch on social-economic themes and deal with topics such as peace, freedom, and politics.

I Don’t Believe in Global Warming by Banksy

This striking mural is located beside Regent’s Canal in London and differs from the rest of Banksy’s work, which tends to use stenciling. He rose to fame on the back of numerous anti-authority pieces and has become something of a national treasure in Britain.

The Legend of Giants by Natalia Rank

This extremely vibrant large-scale mural is in the city of Bialystok in Poland, painted especially for the Folk on the Street Festival. It depicts a young girl wearing a traditional Polish outfit while watering a tree.

Human Nature by Pejac

Spanish artist Pejac’s minimalism and subtractive techniques make his work stand out. He incorporates his surroundings, making them an important part of his art. His simple, powerful, and mind-bending artwork comes with very clear messages.

Park(ing) by Banksy

A young girl swings from the word ‘PARK’ in downtown Los Angeles. The additional ‘ING’ has been faded out by Banksy, turning the word ‘PARKING’ into ‘PARK.’ This is extremely poignant, as just down the block from this area, a resident group is looking to find a little more than $6 million to transform a parking lot into a community park with a playground.

Animals in Zoos by ROA

Belgian artist ROA is renowned for his giant paintings of black and white animals. He uses native animals based on the location he is painting in, communicating the back-story of a given city or landscape belonging to the local animal life.

Born to be Wild by July i

Canadian-based street artist from Toronto, July i mainly uses handmade stencils for his work. Most of his projects show environmental and social issues with a satirical touch. He is also known for his street installations, and he ‘likes showing what humans are doing to us.’