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Behind the Lines

Washouts

Washouts, sticky wickets, extreme heat policy: we experienced it all in 2024.

The cataclysmic cycle of extreme weather continues to char and flood the earth and, as our cartoonists cleverly riffed, it's now draining the colour out of nature. In April climate authorities reported the worst incident on record of coral bleaching on the Great Barrier Reef.

The Albanese government offered incentives for renewable energy manufacturers and Opposition Leader Peter Dutton backed away from comments he made in 2022 that the Coalition would announce an emission reduction target for 2030 before the next election. Activists continued to protest at perceived government inaction, with some ending up in jail as a result.

A long First Dog on the Moon comic talks about the joys of seeing Aurora Australis from their backyard. The final panel says, 'What a waste of a perfectly good planet.'

Lovely Aurora

First Dog on the Moon, The Guardian Australia,

A politician points to a smoking green car and says, 'It runs on 100% global warming!' A man looks unsure.

Global Driving

Matt Bissett-Johnson, Melbourne Observer,

A street sign reads, 'Climate Alley.' In the middle of floods and fires, Opposition Leader Peter Dutton is trying to get people to pick a card, while Prime Minister Anthony Albanese engages people in 3-cup monte. Albanese says, 'Which shell is the lump of coal under?'

Pick Your Poison

Jon Kudelka, The Saturday Paper,

Two people joke about raking in profits while the world burns. Someone comes over to top up their champagne and says, 'Pity about the planet… haha, joking!'

Pity about the Planet

Judy Horacek, The Australia Institute,

Two men in suits watch a climate protest. One of them says, 'At least our destructive behaviour is good for the shareholders.'

Profits of Doom

Fiona Katauskas, The Guardian Australia,

Text reads, 'Climate change and the cost of living. Everything is going up…' The cartoon then lists insurance costs, food prices, housing stress, as well as fossil fuel profits and new coal and gas approvals.

It's Going to Cost the Earth!

Jess Harwood, The Guardian Australia,

A sign reads, 'Highest average global temperature ever recorded.' A child says, 'Why won't the government do something about it?' Their parent says, 'They have.' The sign has changed to 'Climate protesters jailed.'

Climate Action

Cathy Wilcox, Nine Papers,

Text in a busy city reads, 'The 21st century: We've stuffed it.' Then in the same polluted skies but with flying cars, 'Vibe is off for 22,' and the last panel a person with a space helmet kicks a rock and text says, '23rd century is our chance, baby.'

Vibe Is Off

Scott Wrigg, Instagram,

In a large gallery, Ken Done's colourful paintings adorn a wall. The last work is grey, and reads, '4th coral bleaching event.' A person says, 'I prefer his earlier work.'

I Don’t Know Much about Climate Art, But I Know What I Like

Matt Golding, Nine Papers,

Clownfish swim amongst white bleached coral under the shadow of a shark. One fish says, 'Don't worry, thanks to millions of years of evolution he'll never see us.'

Accelerated Evolution

Pat Hudson, Self-published,

A long comic talks about Australia's environmental laws, which have approved 740 fossil fuel projects since they were created. The last panel reads, 'Old Albo, where are you? Tag Albo and Environment Minister Plibersek and tell them they must assess climate impacts of coal and gas mines under the laws that approve 99% of them.'

Our Broken Environment Laws

Jess Harwood, Instagram,

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