Climate Comic & Activity Book impact summary: Building Bridges for Climate Action

merrynthomas
Jul 23
4 min read

By Merryn Thomas, University of Exeter and Swansea University; Tom Basher, Education Adviser, Partneriaeth; and Jennifer Twelvetrees, founder, Women4Resources.

The Climate Comic and Activity Book are bilingual resources co-created with communities to spark intergenerational conversations and inspire climate action. Born from the OPTIC study (Understanding Older and younger people's PerspecTives and Imaginaries of Climate change), these tools capture real stories and ideas shared during workshops and events across Wales.

Due to growing interest, an intergenerational activity book was developed with input from teachers, students, care home residents, and other stakeholders. These resources are now being used in schools, care homes, and community settings to foster climate awareness and resilience.

If you’re using the Climate Comic or Activity Book, we’d love to hear your story!

Sparking Climate Conversations in Schools

The project supports the Curriculum for Wales (2022) by helping learners become:

Ambitious, capable learners who are ready to learn throughout their lives
Enterprising, creative contributors who are ready to play a full part in life and work
Ethical, informed citizens who are ready to be citizens of Wales and the world
Healthy, confident individuals who are ready to lead fulfilling lives as valued members of society

It also nurtures creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration. Here’s how four schools in the Partneriaeth region brought the comic to life:

Pennar Community School, Pembrokeshire

Pupils co-created climate games with older residents, boosting confidence and creativity. They developed literacy, numeracy, and digital skills while deepening their understanding of climate issues. Teachers reported improved behaviour and engagement, with pupils leading their own learning and sharing knowledge beyond the classroom.

Bishopston Comprehensive, Swansea

Students used podcasting and comics to connect with the “Gateway to Gower Community Shed” group, helping combat loneliness and isolation. They also explored multiculturalism and environmental awareness, developing strong oracy and social skills. Their work empowered them to make a real difference in their community.

Oystermouth Primary School, Swansea

Children collaborated across year groups and with care home residents to create comics, posters, and games. Over half of Year 6 students followed through on climate pledges like walking to school and reducing plastic use. The creative approach fostered pride, ownership, and improved reading and speaking skills.

Coedcae School, Carmarthenshire

Year 9 students tackled climate change as a “wicked problem,” using family interviews to connect science with lived experience. This strengthened empathy, critical thinking, and communication skills. The comic helped make complex issues relatable and real.

Aelwyn took OPTIC to the Urdd Eisteddfod in 2023 (here, with Aled), 2024 and 2025

Climate Action in Care Homes

Care homes including Haulfryn, Ysguborowen, and Llys Cyncoed helped co-create and test the activity pack. Thanks to the ENRICH Cymru network, older voices were central to the process. Dr. Deb Morgan (OPTIC and ENRICH) described the experience as:

“Enriching for the residents; they are showing how important their perspectives are but also engaging in conversation with new people from different ages and backgrounds.”

Wider Impact: Intergenerational Connections & Global Reach

The project has engaged at least:

140 older people
222 children
91 younger people
263 stakeholders

These conversations have led to:

Knowledge exchange via seminars in the UK, Basque Country and internationally, as well as with stakeholders including Amgueddfa Cyrmu, Trees for Cities, The Senedd, National Care Forum, Natural Resources Wales, Infrastructure Commissioner, and more.
Policy impact: Submitted written evidence for Communicating Long-Term Climate Threats (National Infrastructure Commission and Cynnal Cymru) and invited to interview (Feb 2024) – evidence should ‘help shape more effective communication strategies that resonate with diverse audiences and empower them to take action’.
Developing practice: UNESCO Bridges featured OPTIC in methods booklet for the Japanese Government, 2025. International use of resources (e.g. Florida International University) and inclusion on platforms like Scottish Generations Working Together. Increased teacher confidence to adopt alternative pedagogies for exploring global issues.
Climate action including conversations, education and action including pledges at Oystermouth School.
Strengthening Community-University Links The project has built capacity for future local challenges and global initiatives. For example, Women4Resources collaborated on various events including a workshop for International Women’s Day, featuring voices from across generations. OPTIC formed a basis for EGIN funded project by Women4Resources led by Edna Wachira 'Climate Change and Human Rights'.

“To me this is what it’s all about.” – Jennifer Twelvetrees, Women4Resources

Merryn presenting at the ‘We’re all in this together’ event for teachers, led by Dr Jennifer Rudd

Get Involved!

Are you using the Climate Comic or Activity Book? We’d love to hear how it’s making a difference in your school, care home, or community.

Thank you

Thank you to the OPTIC team and participants, care homes, schools and partners involved in the project. Thanks also to our funders: University of Stirling Ageing and Place: Pandemic Recovery and Action on Climate CHange (APPROACH) fund, as part the Social Behavioural & Design Research Programme (UK Research and Innovation); a ESRC IAA grant through the University of Swansea.

The OPTIC Team is Dr. Merryn Thomas, Dr. Aled Singleton, Dr. Aelwyn Williams, Dr. Carol Maddock, Dr. Deborah Morgan, Prof. Charles Musselwhite, Prof. Tavi Murray, and illustrator Laura Sorvala.

Thomas, M., Urbanek, E., & Ladd, C. (2025). Intergenerational tabletop game design for exploring the climate emergency: insights from an undergraduate field course. Journal of Geography in Higher Education, 49(3), 441-451.

Thomas, M., Sorvala, L., Williams, A., Singleton, A., Maddock, C., Morgan, D., Murray, T., & Musselwhite, C. (2024). Co-creating a climate comic book: reflections on using comics in intergenerational research and engagement. Journal of Global Ageing, 1(2), 219-237.

Impact case study by Tom Basher, Partneriaeth: