Why Milk Cartons are Relevant to Climate Change
Missing resources on milk cartons. Illustrations by Margaret Bi
Context:
In the early 1980s, advertisements on milk cartons began to publicize cases of missing children in the United States. These ads continued until the late 1990s until the Amber Alert was introduced. The milk carton kids became an iconic cultural shorthand for missing children.
Insight:
The impact of the milk cartons was raising awareness because it demands a conversation. The milk carton campaign reflects a larger fear that was gripping society at the time—stranger danger. Similarly, climate change is the defining issue of our time which requires individuals to assess environmental and self awareness.
Missing Water
PROBLEM:
Water pollution occurs when toxic substances enter water bodies such as rivers, lakes, and oceans which degrades the quality of water. These toxins not only hurt the aquatic ecosystems, but also might end up in drinking water causing contamination.
SOLUTION:
Three activities anybody can do to reduce water pollution.
• Do not flush wet wipes
• Switch to metal straws
• Abstain from dumping oil
Missing Air
PROBLEM:
Air pollution occurs when harmful substances are introduced into the Earth’s atmosphere which can cause diseases. The most common types of pollution that are produced by humans are from agriculture, household, industry, transport, and waste.
SOLUTION:
Three activities that anybody can do to help reduce air pollution even by a little bit.
• Plant a leafy thing
• Avoid idling your car
• Vote for Green Policies
Missing Forests
PROBLEM:
Forest wildfires occurs when heat, drought, and bark infestations combine to make forestries more susceptible to fires. Climate change is driving up the temperatures and increasing wildfire risks because of prolonged dry seasons.
SOLUTION:
• Fire proofing neighbourhoods
• Planting drought tolerant trees
• Recycle dead and damaged trees
Key takeaway
Campaigns against climate change is much like a political campaign: it needs icons, mascots, images, slogans—the strategies of advertising as much as the tools of science. Climate change needs to be transformed politically before it could be transformed scientifically.