Climate Migrants: A Graphic Guide
Illustrated by Ash Stryker
“As resources become harder to find, people must make the difficult decision of whether to stay or go. Sometimes, there is no choice but to flee.”
Written as part of The Climate Crisis series, Climate Migrants: A Graphic Guide is a nonfiction graphic novel that explores the struggles faced by climate migrants and refugees around the world. Though the book briefly touches on the causes of climate migration, its main draw lies in hearing the first-hand accounts of those who have been affected by it. The graphic novel highlights situations such as the Gobi Desert droughts, the Mozambique cyclones, the Vietnam floods, and many more. By sharing real-life examples and quotes, the book creates an emotional connection to the challenges faced by climate migrants, all culminating in a powerful call to action on the final page.
This short graphic novel provides a simple and accessible way to introduce students to the concept of climate migration. The book’s intersection of environmental and social themes makes it a great choice for any science or social studies classroom, particularly when discussing topics around climate change, displacement, and human rights. One key aspect that makes the book effective is the fact that it contains examples of climate migration from all different parts of the world, emphasizing that climate change is a global issue with far-reaching effects. The stories not only highlight the immediate impacts of extreme weather events (such as destroying people’s homes) but also draw attention to the gradual, slow violence of climate change (such as disruptions to local food systems). These challenges are further intensified by the emotional toll of displacement.
Climate Migrants encourages readers to recognize that the fight against climate change is not just about protecting the environment, but also about supporting displaced communities and building a more inclusive world. For example, the book highlights how these migrations can often lead to overcrowding in urban areas, which has given risen to many racist and elitist responses. By sharing all these powerful stories, the book pushes readers to confront their own internal biases and think critically about the broader social and political implications of the climate movement. From these insights, readers can reflect on the shared principle that “everyone deserves a place to live” and recognize the importance of rallying together for equitable solutions to the climate crisis, as is depicted in a climate rally on the final page.
©2025 Climate Lit (Alexandra Delacruz)
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Publisher: Graphic Universe, Lerner Publishing, 2024
ISBN: 9798765623480
Pages: 32
Format: Comics and Graphic Novels, Nonfiction
Topics: Climate Change, Climate Justice, Climate Migration, Climate Refugees, Drought, Extreme Weather Events, Flood, Food Insecurity, Kiribati, People Care, Slow Violence, Water Crisis



