Current Event - Political Cartoons about Climate Change

I ran across this Huffington Post article a few months ago; it's a series of cartoons and illustrations from artists around the world and showing their interpretations of the impacts of climate change. The theme was oriented around oceans, which are overlooked by many but which arguably bear the most weight when it comes to climate change. Global carbon emissions don't just end up in the air we breathe; more than 50% of emissions end up in the ocean, a figure that is likely to increase.

Some of these are funny, others are solemn, but all are thought-provoking. Ocean acidification, also know as "the other CO2 problem" is the equally serious but lesser-known effect of greenhouse gas emissions. Carbon dioxide absorbed into the ocean at such heavy rates as are observed today increases the acidity of the water which inhibits shell growth for marine organisms, disrupts food chains, and sets off a whole host of negative consequences for our planet's watery ecosystems.

Surfrider is a great organization dedicated to improving and protecting the world's oceans and beaches, and there's a Northwest chapter based right here in Bellingham!

This last image is just a personal favorite of my sarcastic self; it sums up perfectly the frustrations of many who try to convince the "unconcerneds" or climate change skeptics about the reality of the situation. The potential of sustainability goes far beyond anyone's beliefs about climate change, and these images also show the potential of art to educate and inspire.