climate change – Radio Blackbird Illustrations https://radioblackbirdillustrations.com Illustrating history – illuminating ideas Sun, 24 Dec 2023 22:01:30 +0000 en hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.1 https://radioblackbirdillustrations.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/cropped-cropped-Radio-Blackbird-Logo-1-32x32.jpeg climate change – Radio Blackbird Illustrations https://radioblackbirdillustrations.com 32 32 Focus on climate change in art https://radioblackbirdillustrations.com/2023/12/04/focus-on-climate-change-in-art/ https://radioblackbirdillustrations.com/2023/12/04/focus-on-climate-change-in-art/#comments Mon, 04 Dec 2023 11:00:00 +0000 https://radioblackbirdillustrations.com/?p=288 Two different ways to engage with current affairs through art in today’s blog post.

I’m not even asking the question if art should engage with current affairs. To me, it’s a given: if art is about self-expression (we can debate that question), then it will end up reflecting the world of the artist. And yes, cartooning is art. It takes considerable skill, especially when it looks easy.

1. “These haunting underwater photos portray climate change in a new way” (CNN, Nov. 4)

Haunting images.The article also describes how the artist worked with the local community to create this project. Here’s the most chilling part of the entire piece, to me:

“Somebody said it was quite post-apocalyptic. And I said, ‘No, it’s pre-apocalyptic.’ Because it hasn’t actually happened to these people yet.”

Nick Brandt, photographer
Two men sit at a table, their hands crossed as if in prayer, they look thoughtful and earnest. The table is at the bottom of the sea, they are under water. The whole scene has a blue hue over it. In the background there are coral reef elements.
Just one of the images, with Fiji residents Joel and Sosi who will find their homes and livelihoods gone when sea levels rise.

2. Cartooning that Oxfam report on billionaires

Oxfam published a report on the impact of billionaires on emissions. Part of the problem is their lifestyle, jetting around the globe in their private airplanes and consuming a disproportionate amount of … well, anything, to be honest. Big new angle in this report is the research on the impact of their investments. That shows their impact is far worse than you’d think. With COP28 on the go, this report now has gained traction, so you’ll see lots of stats bandied around. If you’re confused, remember your friendly cartooning and illustrator friends are always ready to bring clarity in complex affairs with a light touch, and First Dog on the Moon is no exception. Head on over to the Guardian and read the full comic!

Cartoon panel, caption "Billionaires? Nobody likes billionaires." Anthropomorphized dog points to a portrait on an easel, "Who is the world's worst Carbon Foot Prince? We name and shame!" Second dog talks into a mobile phone "Hang on... it's the lawyers. No names? Mild shame. Got it"
First Dog would like to name and shame… (Source: Guardian)

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