POLITICAL CARTOON ANALYSIS
This cartoon was created by Latrache Yassin, titled as ‘Global Warming and Pollution:
What is the event or issue that inspired the cartoon?
The issue that inspired the cartoon is the global problem of climate change.
The editorial cartoon paints a scene in which we can see arctic animals on icebergs and a dozen
miscellaneous objects submerged in the water. The background displays a sky with an ombre design
consisting of hues of yellow to turquoise. These colours seen in the sky represent signs of air
contamination, the presence of smoke and smog in the atmosphere as well as the existence of
abnormal weather conditions. The reason for the air to be driven into this sickly state would be the
diffusion of fumes produced in the factory that we see in the upper right-hand corner and of the
vapour escaping the chimney present on the huge ship in the upper left-hand corner. Factories and
ships often have some sort of symbolic meaning. Besides the factory and ship’s smoke suggesting
negative environmental impact, this piece suggests them to signify industrialisation, mass production
of goods and consumerism.
In the centre of the composition, we can see a large polar bear sitting on an iceberg. It has
deliberately been implemented in the drawing because polar bears (Ursus maritimus) are the poster
child for the impact of climate change on species. Furthermore, we can observe other animals
belonging to the tundra biome such as a penguin and a seal. These creatures excude somber facial
expressions, making the cartoon’s tone glum and pitiful. These animals showcase how fast the Arctic
is warming, causing the ice that these species depend on for existence to melt away.
Now, I would like to describe the meaning of the objects immersed in the water. We can see a bunch
of distinguishable logos of notorious brands, like the emblem of Mcdonald’s, KFC, Pepsi, Nike, Shell
and Apple. These are symbols of the materialism and commercialism viewed in our society. The cans,
tin
barrels betoken the debris of the infamous companies visible in the water or the hazardous waste the
citizens of the world make. This image illustrates human negligence and our harmful impact on the
environment.
In the lower left-hand corner, I’m pretty sure we can make out a fragment of a bar graph. Bar graphs
are a way of showcasing statistics. Its appearance foregrounds how we as people are only focused on
economic growth and profit.
In summary, the cartoonist underlines the issue of global warming and climate change. The message
that the author wants to impart to the audience is that human actions are the main factors that lead to
environmental destruction. The cartoon strongly urges politicians to shift their myopic perception of
the climate crisis, into stressing its importance and how we should prioritise playing a part in saving
our world from its detrimental effects.