Drawn into Dialogue: A Comics Exploration of Young People's Responses to Climate Change in Aotearoa New Zealand

This research explores how comics can be used as a medium to communicate young people’s responses to the climate crisis in Aotearoa New Zealand. As the effects of anthropogenic climate change are felt more frequently and violently, younger generations must navigate hope and fear while taking on the responsibility of positioning themselves at the forefront of the climate debate. This project serves as documentation and creative examination of the lived realities of six young Aotearoa New Zealanders as they grapple with their feelings about the climate crisis in the spring and summer of late 2023 and early 2024. This research is driven by two primary objectives: firstly, to analyse young people’s responses to the complex challenges posed by climate change, and, secondly, to examine and demonstrate how graphic storytelling can communicate these narratives. The outcome of this research is a Master’s thesis, which details the breadth of the research, and an accompanying creative output in the form of a 62-page comic titled 'True Leaves'. This research aims to critically reflect on what life in a climate changing world is like for young people in Aotearoa New Zealand and how comics can be used to communicate and draw meaning from these findings. The methods applied in this research include the identification and analysis of relevant literature as well as a review of cartoons and comics with a focus on climate change. Semi-structured qualitative interviews were undertaken with six young Aotearoa New Zealanders between the ages of 20 and 30 to develop an understanding of their emotional and physical responses to climate change. These interviews formed the basis for the creative generation of a comic. The content of the comic harnessed both the interviews and personal, creative reflection and was produced as the result of an iterative process within a research through design framework. This research culminates in the telling of a story that warrants diverse modes of communication. It shines a light on the words and work of young people in their local context of Aotearoa New Zealand, and does so through a medium that can illustrate climate-changing realities in nuanced, accessible and engaging ways.