Student-Made Comics Reflect on Climate Change

We are in the midst of a youth mental health crisis. The causes of this documented spike in anxiety and depression among teens and young adults are broad, and anxiety regarding climate change has emerged as one key factor.

As a project in her high school science class in spring 2024, Essex Junction resident Thalia Kolovos (yes, Andy’s daughter!) interviewed three Essex High School students — Grey, Rose and Victoria — about climate change, how they see their lives being affected by it, and how all this makes them feel. She then worked collaboratively with them to create a series of comics that presented the perspectives of each of these young people.

We are grateful to Grey, Rose and Victoria for allowing us to share their stories, and to Essex High School science teacher Jordana Churchill for supporting the project.

Are you interested in exploring the potential of nonfiction cartooning? Join us at the Non-Fiction Comics Festival on November 16, 2024 at the Fletcher Free Library!