Leveraging Digital Arts for Climate Change Education

The Hub in Morija (Lesotho) hosted an animation workshop for its up-coming claymation mini-film planned for release on the 25^th of November!

Since July 2023, the French Embassy has collaborated with The Hub in Morija (Lesotho) on a project addressing climate and gender injustice by creating one short claymation (stop-motion animation using clay) film.

After producing “Matsohong a Rona”, which was selected by art curators as the top artwork at the ClimateTechRun 2022 at COP 27, The Hub in Morija is working on a new stop-motion animation aiming to educate and raise awareness about various issues surrounding climate change and adaptation in Lesotho.

From the 2^nd to the 11^th of October, The Hub conducted an animation workshop with a group of 11 youths, including four high school students to teach them comprehensive skills in stop-motion animation production. This film will also become an open-source educational material on The Hub’s website, free access to schools and more in Lesotho to learn more about Climate Change.

This project is in line with France’s commitment to supporting initiatives that use digital support to advance development, human rights, and well-being.

Why is Climate Change Education important? How can digital arts be useful for it?

In Lesotho, more than 90% of disasters are related to climate variability and change, specifically, drought, snowfall, hailstorms, strong wind, localized floods, and early frost and pest infestations.  When a severe El Niño-induced drought hit Lesotho in the past, it was accompanied by above-average temperatures and below-average rainfall, which reduced crop production and decreased inflows to the dams, putting more than 60% of the rural population at risk of food insecurity.

The impact of climate change on women and children is intrinsically linked to gender inequity and violations of their human rights and dignity. Women are more exposed to the effects of climate change, including more frequent and severe natural catastrophes. For rural girls and women, as water sources dry up, they are forced to travel longer distances to access water, increasing their burden, and reducing their capacity to attend school, generate an income, and invest in their professions. They are more likely to be vulnerable and have less control over their resources, which makes them more prone to food insecurity.

By telling stories that focus on building the resilience of girls and women, The Hub can enable them to better adapt to challenges and make the best possible choices for themselves and their families’ health and safety.

The Hub adds an innovative and youth-friendly approach to tackle these problems through content creation geared at young people. The Hub has experience in holding stop-motion animation workshops and has held four workshops, resulting in four short animated films.

The Hub involves youth in the creative process through workshops and events. We believe that through participating in the creation of the artwork, youth gain a significantly deeper understanding of the issues tackled, rather than only consuming the art when it is a finished product. This creates learning opportunities not just for the end product, but the entire process.