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Me? In denial? Am not....

By Anonymous
I often find myself entertained by politicians and certain "activist" groups that have come to the undeniable conclusion that global warming does not exist, and that there couldn't possibly be any reason for the earth dying any time soon. I mean, what evidence do we have really? Ice caps melting, record temperature highs, species endangerment....? Nope, not global warming. It's clearly just a hoax to stop large corporations from profiting.
But, for the sake of argument, let's imagine that the earth isn't indestructible and that what we do to this planet while we live on it can and will have a significant environmental impact. How does that change things? And, if it does change things, how do we begin to spread awareness of our carbon footprint?
It has become increasingly clear to me that trying to change the world is no longer possible through word of mouth, especially in a society that has become overwhelming introverted and opposed to human interaction (generally). So, what do we do?
Authors Derrick Jensen and Stephanie McMillan have an idea. In their satirical graphic novel As the World Burns: 50 Simple Things You Can Do to Stay in Denial, Jensen and McMillan attempt to spread awareness of the environmental impact of our personal choices, as well as reveal the grueling truth behind big business. From as early as the first page, it is clear that these authors are serious about their message: if we continue to live on a planet that acts like the earth has unlimited godly powers, we will all go down in flames...soon.
This graphic novels follows three main characters, Bunnista, Bananabelle, and Kranti, as they journey through that which is our dying earth. Our very first interaction with these characters seems to hurl us right into a giant sign saying, "PAY ATTENTION." One character mentions, "Did you know that if you recycle a single aluminum can, you can save enough energy to power a television set for three hours?" Bunnista replies, "Oh my GOD! That is SO HELPFUL!! You mean big industries can make lots of money by building dams for aluminum smelting, choking the life our of rivers and killing the fish, plus tearing up great swaths of Africa for mining bauxite? WOW!"

Feel like you were hit by a "Save the Turtles" truck? Me too. Jensen and McMillan hold nothing back in order to shock their readers into knowing the real truth. Keeping the illustrations black and white allows for the reader to be exposed to the harsh black and white reality of our planet: it lacks the vibrancy of life that it once had. Jensen and McMillan depict corporate bosses as these horrible, germ-looking monsters with evil smiles. The novel even pokes fun at those who believe that meditation and their connection to nature will solve all of earth's problems.
So now you might be wondering, "Why should I care?" And that's a great question, because you're exactly the type of person this novel is aimed towards. Jensen and McMillan seek to destroy the thought process of those who simply do not care, and replace it with an itch to want to do better for the sake of the planet's future. A graphic novel may play a small part in environmental activism, but it reaches a larger audience that might not have otherwise been exposed to the seriousness of the state of the planet.

But, of course, that's all assuming that global warming is real, and that corporations aren't out just to make a quick buck.... ;)

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