Bartholomew and the Oobleck: A Prophetic (and Hopeful?) Tale of the Climate Crisis
Dr. Seuss, the beloved children's author, was known for his whimsical tales that often contained deeper messages and societal commentary. One such book, Bartholomew and the Oobleck, written in 1949, seems to eerily foreshadow the climate crisis we face in 2024.
I am currently participating in a two-day “Carbon Literacy for Marketing Professionals” course with certified “Carbon Literacy Trainer”, Annie Soulsby, The Sustainable Life Coach, and Heather Davies - an expert in how to do Communicating about Sustainability without Greenwashing.
So, it was completely serendipitous that, after day 1 of the course, I picked Bartholemew and the Oobleck to read for my 6 and 4 year old last night… And even more uncanny are the parallels between the events of the book and the environmental challenges we face in our modern world.
Bartholomew and the Oobleck tells the story of a kingdom called Didd, ruled by King Derwin [!]. Tired of the same old weather, King Derwin demands something new from his royal magicians. They create a sticky green substance called Oobleck, which falls from the sky and wreaks havoc on the kingdom, causing chaos and disruption. It's up to a young pageboy named Bartholomew to confront the king and save the kingdom from the consequences of the Oobleck. Through whimsical rhymes and illustrations, Dr. Seuss delivers a timeless message about the importance of respecting nature and the consequences of human folly.
Parallels to the Climate Crisis:
Human Folly:
King Derwin's impatience and desire for novelty mirror humanity's relentless pursuit of progress and convenience, often at the expense of the environment.
Unintended Consequences
The Oobleck, initially hailed as a marvel, quickly turns disastrous, clogging streams, suffocating crops, and causing chaos. This reflects the unintended consequences of human actions, such as pollution and deforestation, leading to climate change and ecological imbalance.
Disruption of Natural Systems
The Oobleck disrupts the natural weather patterns of Didd, much like how climate change disrupts global weather patterns, leading to extreme weather events, rising sea levels, and habitat destruction.
Collective Responsibility
Bartholomew, a young pageboy, becomes a hero by confronting King Derwin and urging him to take responsibility for the mess created by the Oobleck. This highlights the importance of collective action and accountability in addressing the climate crisis.
Need for Innovation
Ultimately, it's the wisdom and ingenuity of a young boy that saves the kingdom, suggesting that innovative solutions and a shift in mindset are essential in tackling environmental challenges.
Bartholomew and the Oobleck serves as a cautionary tale, reminding us of the consequences of our actions and the importance of respecting nature. It emphasizes the need for sustainable practices, environmental stewardship, and cooperation on a global scale to mitigate the effects of climate change.
As we navigate the complexities of the climate crisis in 2024, Bartholomew and the Oobleck remains a timeless reminder of the power of storytelling to convey profound truths. Let us heed its message and work towards a more sustainable and harmonious relationship with the planet.
This morning, the first thing my son did (soon after kissing me good morning) was ask me to buy him a Beyblade Arena. I gently explained about plastic again as best I could. We went downstairs to have breakfast, and drew these:
We listened to The Imperial March whilst talking about CO2 and The Hallelujah chorus when we got to the Oxygen bit. I put on Happy to conclude the conversation with all of the fun and good stuff we can do and we decided we’d make our own Beyblade Arena out of an old Weetabix box. It’s obviously going to be rubbish (if you’ll excuse the pun), but hopefully it’ll be fun trying and he won’t be too disappointed.
