Meg Humphrys

Background

After creating my first picture story book 'When Water Lost Her Way' in 2018, I have been focused on how to engage with readers about climate change, through our lead character Water in this sequel 'Wave of Change'. The story follows Water in her dance across the pages as she is called to help. 

The artwork for this story was inspired by images from the lived experience of climate change impacts here in Australia and from assessment reports from the Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change, or IPCC- a international group of scientists responsible for reviewing scientific literature from around the world to determine the state of knowledge on climate change. 

From these reports, I drew on some key relatable species in how they adapt, migrate, or decline in numbers from the impacts from climate change. The IPCC report from August last year issued a ‘code red’ for humanity, unless deep reductions in emissions occur in the coming decades. The language used in explaining climate science is complex and this can deter people from engaging on the issue.

I aim to use art and story to engage with readers on the issue and provide links to some inspiring organisations doing really great stuff in this space. 

The print of this story is an extension of the book theme for climate action where I will print on 100% Recycled FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) Post Consumer Waste (PCW) that is made & produced Carbon Neutral. Printing is manufactured in Melbourne by Complete Colour who are certified and independently audited to the highest Environmental Management System (EMS)  ISO14001 & Quality management systems (QMS) standards. 

In recognition of the greater impact climate change will disproportionally have on developing countries, who have contributed very little to the issue, I will donate $1 per book sold to Water Aid. This will support programs that provide access to safe drinking water and sanitation for developing countries in a rapidly changing climate. There are also book donation options within the reward packages, including donations to the Australian Literacy & Numeracy Foundations Share-A-Book Program that provides new and quality pre-loved books to Indigenous, refugee and marginalised communities in need of resources.

Cost Break Down

The cost to fund this project includes:           

Digitisation of artwork $900

Editing $250

Typesetting $1,600

Pozible campaign fee $744

Print run - 2000 copies $12,123  

Sustainable Printing

Made & manufactured carbon neutral * Solar powered from 728 panels on printing house roof top * Paper stock is 100% recycled from Post Consumer Waste (PCW) - meaning no trees were directly cut down to make this paper!! * Printing company is independently audited to the highest Environmental Management System (EMS)  ISO14001 & Quality management systems (QMS) standards * Any electricity used when solar panels are not providing energy is met through the certified GreenPower 100% renewable program * 

Climate Justice - A Fair Transition

Climate justice seeks to safeguard the rights of the most vulnerable as we go through the transition to adapt and mitigate to the impacts from climate change. At the international level the Conference of Parties (COP) is currently focusing is on how developing countries can be compensated by wealthier countries for loss and damage due to climate change impacts, considering they have contributed very little to global emissions but are most impacted.  

See: https://www.wateraid.org/au/climate-change

Climate Justice is also needed within Australia

Climate justice also applies within countries locally. As we have witnessed here in Australia impacts from the floods in Lismore and recent bushfires disproportionally affect vulnerable members of our community. The issue of equity also goes beyond the immediate needs from extreme weather events to less visible issues, such as energy poverty as we experience hotter days to classes of people that will be unable to be insured for where they live. The good news is we can all support fair transitions- they start in our communities! 

If you would like to contribute the grass roots North Lismore Flood Appeal see the link below:

https://www.mycause.com.au/p/277719/north-lismore-flood-appeal

Climate Change Opportunities & Solutions that benefit Communities

Watch the Film: https://theregenerators.co/regenerating-australia/

Explore the incredible Regeneration Wesbsite that provides a global listing of climate change solutions. 

It describes a system of interlocking initiatives that can stem the climate crisis in one generation for all levlels of society. 

See: https://regeneration.org/