Climate Literacy in Education

Humanity’s Reliance on the More-Than-Human in Shaun Tan’s Tales from the Inner City

Julia Coltman

Vancouver Island University

DOI: https://doi.org/10.24926/cle.v1i2.5188

Keywords: climate literacy, anthropocentrism, empathy, ecocentrism, nonhuman persons

Abstract

Various aspects of human life—including art, media, and culture—are becoming increasingly informed by the climate and environmental crises. Shaun Tan’s Tales from the Inner City illustrate and respond to this emergency, rising questions about the consequences of humanity's disconnect from the nonhuman world. Tan’s message is wistful but not hopeless: although reestablishing balance with nature will not be easy, it is the only goal that matters.