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Cartoon Analysis: Climate Change

Written by John Cole on April 1st 2014 for the Scranton-Times Tribune
This cartoon by John Cole is a critique on the conservative response to climate change. Many republicans and
conservatives refuse to acknowledge the vast amount of scientific data supporting the idea that climate change is a real
and prevalent problem in the world, choosing instead to believe that it is a theory made up by liberals to make others
protect the environment. The cartoonist emphasizes this by presenting both sides of the argument in a humorous fashion:
that of the scientists on the left (with much more backing and legitimate data), and that of the conservatives in the right.
The cartoon is meant to make the conservatives look dumb and ignorant, given that they seem to be rejecting proven data
and facts while defending their reasoning using the extreme amount of snow America received this year as a basis for
their defense.
The notion that climate change and global warming is a myth simply because temperatures were particularly chilly
this winter is ludicrous and the cartoonist expresses this in his cartoon, through his depiction of the "conservative"-an
oafish man with a goofy grin and a large nose. He also does this by juxtaposing the heavy, impressive-looking claims of
the scientists and the singular reason of the conservatives. Irony, labeling, and exaggeration are all present in this cartoon.
Based on his depictions in the cartoon, it is evident that Cole is against the conservative notion that global warming and
climate change are myths. It is likely that he is a liberal-minded democrat based on his portrayal of the man on the right
who believe climate change is a myth. The cartoon is intended to evoke humor, as well as offense if read by people in
agreement of the man on the right.

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Written by Nate Beeler on May 15
th
for The Columbus Dispatch
Unlike most editorial cartoons about climate change, this one seems to be against the typical liberal view
on climate change and global warming. The man is comparing climate change to the movie Godzilla insinuating that they
are both dramatized to the extreme to seem more important or imposing. The cartoonist is essentially saying that Climate
change and the melting of polar ice caps isnt as big a deal as many people want Americans to believe. Based on his
depiction of the Glacier movie poster, the cartoonist is against the theory about climate change and global warming and
its very possible that he is a republican. The caption on the poster is sarcastic, meant to imply that global warming isnt a
really prevalent issue, and there arent any real consequences occurring right now.
Some elements present in the cartoon are symbolism, exaggeration, and labeling. The Glacier movie poster
symbolizes global warming itself, specifically, the melting glaciers and ice caps. Obviously the comparison to Godzilla is
an exaggeration meant to evoke a provocative tone. The labeling of the movie posters is dine to emphasize the
similarities between the public feeling about global warming and the dramatic elements of the movie Godzilla.
I disagree with this cartoonists opinion about global warming can climate change. I think that, although it does
generate a lot of media attention, the attention is merited because global warming is a much more prevalent and
threatening issue than this cartoonist chooses to believe. I do, however, like the way the cartoonist presented his opinion.
The way the cartoonist represented his message was clever and well done, and despite the fact that I disagree with the
message, I must admit that it is a witty cartoon.

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Written by Adam Zyglis on April 14
th
, 2014 for the Buffalo News
This cartoon mockingly examines opinions on scientific theories throughout the centuries including global
warming, evolution, gravity, and the earths shape. The cartoonist is intending to imply that the reasons for doubting the
theories were dumb. The main focus of the cartoon is to draw attention to the global warming argument. The man
speaking in the lower right quadrant is depicted as a conservative, stubbornly refusing to believe that global warming is a
legitimate issue, simply because he sees snow falling. This is meant to criticize members of the Republican Party who
actually use snow as a defense of their arguments against global warming. By providing readers with three other similar
scenarios throughout history, he is drawing emphasis to the fact that those in opposition to the theories in all four
quadrants are incorrect and ridiculous, considering that gravity, the fact that earth is a sphere, and evolution, have all been
proven fact, and have been widely accepted by almost all Americans for many years now. By lumping global warming in
with the other three theories, he is saying that global warming is real and should be widely accepted by most people.
I agree with the cartoonists depiction of the naysayers and think he presented his message in a very funny and
provocative way. To compare global warming to other discoveries such as the discovery of gravity and evolution will
greatly incense people who do not believe in global warming, and I think that was the cartoonists goal. Labeling and
symbolism are both present in this editorial cartoon. The labeling of the different centuries is a way to mock the 21
st

century because people are still denying scientific evidence even with the innovations and modern perspectives present in
the 21
st
century. The bible, the ruler, and the bird are all symbols for the arguments against each of the other three theories
in the cartoon: the idea that the world is flat, the fact that some animals can fly, and the fact that Christianity and the
bibles explanation for how the word came to be are quite different form the theory about evolution.
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Written by Brian Adcock on April 24
th
, 2014 for the Prague Post
In his cartoon, Adcock is critiquing the seemingly relaxed attitude towards climate change and global
arming. Rather than focus on the politics behind the issue, Adcock focus on the negative effect that climate change
and global warming is having on the earth, shown through his characterization of earth was a very sick and tired-
looking cartoon, whichs sweating profusely and has a thermometer in its mouth.
Based on his depiction of earth it is clear that Adcock wants people care about the environment more and
do more to prevent climate change and lessen the effects of global warming. There is also a second meaning in the
cartoon. By having the earth take a selfie of itself to raise awareness of its condition, Adcock is critiquing the
recent trend of taking and posting selfies onto social media sites as a tacky way for getting attention. However,
by having Earth need to resort to this method to get attention, he is saying that people are not caring enough about
the effects that climate change and global warming are having on the environment.
Some elements present in the cartoon are symbolism, irony, and exaggeration. The sweating and the
thermometer are symbols for global warming that is destroying the Earth. Earths condition, though exaggerated
by the expression on Earths face and many injuries and illnesses that seem to be afflicting it, is, in my opinion, a
convincing and provocative perspective on how peoples lack of action against global warming and the seemingly
apathetic response to data proving that climate change and global warming are causing serious environmental
problems.

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Written by Patrick Chappatte on January 17th, 2014 for the International Herald Tribune
This cartoon about climate change focuses less on the theory of climate cage and ore on the politics
surrounding climate change. The ark, which references the biblical story of Noahs ark, represents the U.N. in this
case. All the animals are boarding the ark, meaning that they agree that climate change is a real and present threat,
except for the elephants, who symbolize republicans. Noah is calling the elephants climate skeptics. The
cartoonist is clearly slightly biased against republicans, and most likely has strong opinions about the environment
and global warming.
Based on this cartoon, it is clear that the cartoonist is most likely more liberal-minded and disagrees with
republicans about climate change. This can be inferred based on his depiction of the elephants and the fact that
they are standing alone on the ground, while all the other animal species are boarding the ship, meaning that they
believe in and care about climate change and global warming. There are no real people in the cartoon, but
representations of the UN and of Republicans are present. Elements present in the cartoon include labeling and
symbolism. The ark is labeled with the word UN and also symbolizes the people who believe in climate change
(most of the world). The elephants are symbols for republicans.
I agree with the message that the cartoonist is sending, which is that many republicans are ignoring widely
affirmed facts because of politics. Clearly, the cartoonist is mocking the republican opinion about climate cage
and global warming, and the tone his cartoon evokes is humorous, but also meant to make the republicans seem
pathetic, seeing as they are standing alone and stubbornly in their beliefs, even know everyone else know that they
are wrong.
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Reflection
Analyzing the cartoons, has helped me understand much better the politics behind global
warming and climate change and the reasoning of people who dont believe in it. The majority of the
cartoons I chose were in favor of my opinion towards global warming, which is that it is a legitimate
issue meriting government attention and care. However, because many were critiquing the reasoning of
their opposition, I was still able to glean two separate perspectives and arguments form the six cartoons.
Because climate change, though (unfortunately) controversial, does not really pertain to human rights or
liberties in any way, none of the cartoons were very serious. Most were sarcastic, witty, and provocative,
meant to incense the opposing side.
I found that the cartoons I was most persuaded by focused less on politics and more on the
severity of the effects global warming and climate change will have on the world. However, I imagine
that republicans, who are depicted as dumb and ignorant in most of the cartoons focusing more on
politics, will have stronger reactions to the political cartoons.
The cartoons didnt change my opinion about the issue, but that was probably because most of
them support my opinion on global warming and climate change. The one cartoon that called global
warming over-hyped and was clearly against the idea that climate change is a threatening and
important problem needing immediate attention was very witty, but didnt have any backing or proof to
make me change my mind. One thing that alarmed me about analyzing these political cartoons is that
more people than I thought are refusing to believe in global warming, despite the significant amount of
data and scientific evidence proving them wrong. I never knew so many people were of the opinion that
global warming and climate change are myths. It scared me actually to see so many cartoons mocking
them, because it means that there are a lot of people of that mindset.
It was also interesting to see how international cartoonists had similar and dissenting opinions
about the same issues. Obviously the cartoons by American cartoonists tended to focus more on the
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politics of the issue, while international cartoonists tended to stress more the importance of addressing
the issue and acknowledging how prevalent it has become to modern society.
I think the collection was overall very representative of majority opinion, which is that global
warming is not only real, but an issue that needs to be addressed immediately. It was fascinating to see
the different opinions represented in each of the cartoons. Though my collection isnt very balanced
since five out of the six support my opinion, I do think it is proportional of the feelings of the general
population and it is representative of the American political climate.


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Written by Taylor Jones on May 9
th
2014 for El Nuevo Dia
This cartoon is essentially a mockery of the conservative viewpoint on climate change. The cartoonist is
portraying the conservatives as elephants, the party symbol of the republicans, and places them on a small sheet of ice
surrounded by ocean to emphasize the effect global warming is having. However, there is a second meaning to this
cartoon. The cartoon is also intended as a warning to republicans who choose not to believe in climate change. The
cartoonist is warning them that if action isnt taken, there will be serious consequences or effects that might not be
repairable. Based on this cartoon, it is evident that the cartoonist is most likely a democrat who understands and believes
in global warming, because he is criticizing the republicans for their refusal to believe that it exists and is a prevalent
problem. The tones in this cartoon are slightly more serious, based on the dying polar bear to the left, gasping for air, but
there is still some humor present, especially in the portrayals of the elephants on the iceberg. They are meant to look
dumb, based on their large eyes and stomachs.
Some elements present in tis cartoon are symbolism, irony, and exaggeration. The elephants are symbols for
members of the Republican Party. The irony is that the very same elephants that rejected climate change as a valid theory
are now being subjected to the consequences of climate change and global warming. There is also exaggeration present
because elephants do not live in the arctic and certainly would not be sitting on a floating iceberg. Based on the depiction
of the elephants and the addition of the polar bear, it is clear that the author has some biases. He seems to have many
opinions about the environment and he is obviously biased against those who dont make protecting the environment a
priority (i.e. many republicans who dont believe in climate change). The artistic style is much more realistic than many
cartoons.