The free Ten Years to Save the World exhibition has opened at MediaCity, Salford, running until 14th January 2022, a showcase of comic artwork and storytelling in response to the climate crisis by leading comic artists in the UK and the Philippines.

The exhibition opens alongside the display of “Floating Earth” by Luke Jerram (weather permitting) and the annual Lightwaves festival Quays Culture, which run until 12th December.

Ten Years to Save the World demonstrates the power of comics to stimulate climate change action. Aimed at 18 to 24 year olds, but with a powerful message for us all, the project is a collaboration between the Lakes International Comic Art Festival, Komiket in the Philippines and climate change communications specialists Creative Concern.

Ten Years to Save the World is supported by the British Council‘s Creative Commissions programme, a series of creative commissions exploring climate change through art, science and digital technology as part of The Climate Connection global initiative.

The free exhibition is an incredible showcase for the diversity and power of comics featuring ten internationally celebrated artists – Manix Abrera, Kajo Baldisimo with Budjette Tan, Sayra Begum, Darren Cullen, Ren Galeno, Emiliana Kampilan, Kevin Eric Raymundo, Zoom Rockman, Jack Teagle and Clarice Tudor.

Crucially, the work has been informed and shaped by young people from both countries, who took part in online discussions to develop the brief for the artists.

 The Ten Years to Save the World comics can also be read and shared for free online at www.10yearstosavetheworld.com.

 “We believe comics can change the world!” enthuses Julie Tait, Director of the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. “The project has an urgent message, we have ten years to make the big changes required to save our planet, it’s as simple as that. 

“We hope the exhibition, and the digital anthology, demonstrate the important role art and specifically comic art can play in responding to the climate crisis. The partners in this project believe that comics can change the world and now, more than ever, we need to use their strength as a force for good.”

“The Creative Commissions are an impressive set of unique and bespoke projects addressing climate-related challenges from around the world,” adds Rosanna Lewis, Creative Commissions Lead, British Council. “The British Council is honoured to work with 10 Years to Save the World, as talented and passionate partners to raise awareness of climate change and the role of arts and culture to address shared global challenges.” 

“Comics are the perfect art form to tackle the most pressing issues of our time,” argues Chris Dessent of climate change communications agency Creative Concern. “We want people to read and share these comics and the big issues they explore. Our hope is that this will lead to more climate action and more engagement in these urgent issues.”

The Ten Years to Save the World comics tackle some of the most pressing issues of our time including ocean pollution, deforestation, plastics, green washing, corporate corruption, climate justice and the anxiety caused from living with the realities of climate change.

•  Ten Years to Save the World Exhibition runs until 14th January 2022 at The Open Centre, MediaCity, Salford, M50 2NT and is open from Monday – Thursday – 9.00am to 8.30pm and Fri day- Sunday – 9.00am to 10.00pm. Free | Web: www.mediacityuk.co.uk/spaces/event-venues/open-centre | Events at Media City

• You can help contribute to 10 Years to Save the World by sharing the free to view comic artwork and stories on your own channels or with your organisation. To view the artwork please go to the website www.10yearstosavetheworld.com

• Komiket is online at www.komiket.org | Follow Komiket on Twitter @komiketph

• The Lakes International Comic Art Festival runs 14th to 16th October 2022 in Bowness-in-Windermere and is online at: www.comicartfestival.com 

• Find out more about the British Council Creative Commissions and especially: Green Space Atlas, 10 Years to Save the World, Trees for Life, Millipede, Living-Language-Land, Connecting the Climate Challenge, Tales of Care and Repair, Museum of Plastic 2121 and Doing Zero