By Evens Emmanuel
In a context where climate change is striking vulnerable countries like Haiti, the Research Unit in GeoSciences (URGéo) of the Faculty of Sciences of the State University of Haiti, in collaboration with the Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie (AUF), the Research Fund for the Development of BRH (FRD-BRH), the LMI-CARIBACT, the University of Havana, and Chevelin Illustration, offers us an innovative educational tool: the comic book Protecting our families from the consequences of climate change. This volume is part of a series dedicated to protecting families from the consequences of these hazards, preventing and reducing various natural and anthropogenic hazards, such as contaminated water, earthquakes, floods or hurricanes. This 20-page comic, illustrated with talent by Chevelin Illustration, is distinguished by its lively and accessible approach, aimed at raising awareness of the climate emergency, both young and old.
History plunges us into the heart of Haitian realities through the eyes of young protagonists facing increasingly intense phenomena: devastating floods, suffocating heat waves, ubiquitous plastic pollution and crop losses that threaten food security. With a clever mix of humour, science and citizen engagement, the authors explain the root causes of global warming – greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation, excessive consumption – while highlighting concrete solutions adapted to the local context. These include reforestation to restore ecosystems, the adoption of renewable energy such as solar energy, the reduction of plastic waste through recycling and community solidarity to strengthen collective resilience.
What is striking from the outset is the attractiveness and accessibility of the work. Designed as an inspiring reading for all ages, the comic book avoids any arid scientific jargon to the benefit of a dynamic narrative, punctuated by living dialogues and illustrations that captivate the reader. The young Haitians, represented as actors of change, embody hope for a sustainable future. For example, the scenes illustrating the impact of the floods on family cultures do not merely depict the disaster; They show how simple gestures, such as tree planting or community waste management, can reverse the trend. This narrative approach turns a complex subject into an educational adventure, where humour lightens serious messages without diluting them.
Scientifically, the BD relies on verified evidence from geoscience research. She recalls that Haiti, because of its geographical position and socio-economic vulnerability, is facing the consequences of climate change: rising sea levels, increasing cyclones and prolonged droughts. The authors subtly integrate key concepts, such as the role of forests in climate regulation or the importance of clean energy to reduce emissions. This makes the book not only entertaining, but also a vehicle for environmental education, aligned with the United Nations sustainable development goals.
A strong point is the community commitment promoted by the comic book.
It insists on solidarity as a pillar of adaptation, as in the case where neighbours unite to reforest the hills, where families adopt eco-responsible practices, or young people who campaign for greener public policies. In a country marked by post-earthquake challenges and recurrent environmental crises, this message resonates particularly. He encourages readers to move from awareness to action, stressing that « The future of our families depends on our actions today ». This sentence, emblematic of the work, captures the essence of a collective emergency that transcends generations.
Despite its qualities, the comic could gain in depth by integrating more specific local examples, such as successful initiatives in regions such as the North or Artibonite, to further anchor the narrative in Haitian reality. Moreover, although humour is an asset, some illustrations could be enriched to better represent the country's cultural diversity, including vodou or peasant traditions related to environmental protection. It would be interesting for Haitian designers and authors to work on a Creole version. These minor suggestions do not indicate the quality of the work, which remains a model of educational innovation.
In conclusion, « Protecting our families from the consequences of climate change » is a success that combines entertainment and education to face the climate emergency. Produced with the support of committed institutional partners, it demonstrates the potential of comics as a massive advocacy tool in Haiti. We strongly recommend reading it to schools, families and community actors, which is an invitation to act together for a resilient future. It not only informs, but inspires to act together for a resilient future. In a world where everyday smallgestes count for the improvement of the environment this comic reminds us that change begins in us. It would be desirable for designers to consider the possible evolution of comics into cartoons. The idea of a certain adaptation of the comic book into a radio series for the visually impaired and blind.
Dear readers, you are waiting for a PDF copy at: https://urgeo.ueh.edu.ht/displayFile/advertisements/19_advertisements.pdf
Evens Emmanuel, PhD HDR
ERC2-UniQ / LMI-CARIBACT
Haiti-Caribbean Pole Haiti Science and Society (HaSci-So)
Team of Scientific Partners for Research Communication (E-PSi-CoRe)
E-mail: evens.emmanuel@uniq.edu
