John Leben’s environmental surrealism explores the urgent and often unsettling realities of climate change by imagining how our world might evolve in the future. Using surreal imagery, fantasy, and even humor, his work visualizes scenarios driven by global warming — from flooded cities and transforming ecosystems to speculative post-apocalyptic environments where people and nature adapt in unexpected ways. While the scenes can be whimsical or outrageous, they carry a serious message about humanity’s relationship with the planet and the pressing challenges we face. These paintings are meant to make viewers both smile and think—drawing attention to environmental issues and sparking reflection on the possibilities for both destruction and regeneration.