Home Institution

Brandeis University

Publication Date

Spring 2020

Program Name

Iceland: Climate Change and The Arctic

Abstract

I conducted 6 interviews with Gen Z students to investigate how they think climate change will impact their future and how they frame the issue in general. I communicate my findings and analysis with visual context through a zine, which is a form of alternative media created in the 1930s. Today, zines provide a creative approach to exchange ideas and explain contemporary culture (Gisonny and Freedman, 2006, 26). My zine is not meant to be utterly educational but rather it is meant to convey the emotion, confusion, and chaos associated with my findings. The interviews collectively created an image of what climate change could look like in the worst case, how they feel about it, and what they think a solution might be. The common themes generated in these interviews include feelings of uncertainty regarding the future, understanding that there is a disproportionate impact of climate change, shortcomings of electoral politics, discrepancies with sustainability, capitalism as a driver of climate change and individualism, and personal detachment and avoidance of climate change action. I conclude that these students crave a clear image of the future, a clear positive picture for them to manifest in their life. Without this positive hopeful image to inspire them, they are left to feel hopeless and fearful of climate change; impending any action or conversation about the subject.

Disciplines

Civic and Community Engagement | Climate | Creative Writing | Environmental Studies | Political History | Politics and Social Change | Social and Cultural Anthropology | Social Influence and Political Communication

Graj_Zine.pdf (4042 kB)
Zine Created for: Gen Z Perspectives on Climate Change and the Future: Having the courage to imagine and fight for a better world

Related Files Graj_Zine.pdf (4042 kB)
Zine Created for: Gen Z Perspectives on Climate Change and the Future: Having the courage to imagine and fight for a better world

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