At 10am, on Sunday 9 June, University of Sussex researchers and local Brighton artist, Daniel Locke, will embark on an epic challenge to develop a 24-page comic in just 24 hours to illustrate what a sustainable future for the South Coast of England could look like.  

Using the concept behind a 24-hour comic, a long-standing international event which challenges cartoonists and artists to create a 24-hour comic in a single 24-hour sitting, the end result will be a story which maps out options for creating a more sustainable future in the region by 2050.   

The researchers hope this will help local communities understand what a more sustainable future could look like and, crucially, how to make this a reality. 

Dr Chris Sandom, Senior Lecturer in Biology at the University of Sussex and project lead says: 
“The lack of vision for a sustainable future is a major barrier to achieving one, as it’s hard to get behind something that’s difficult to picture. The aim of this event and the creation of the comic is to make something that is well informed, realistic and inspiring, and in a format that can be easily shared to get discussion and action going. 

“Through a series of workshops, we found that big changes are needed for a sustainable future to be achievable, this includes us working together to examine how we live and adapt.” 

The Sussex researchers engaged with environmental NGOs, local food partners, charities, students, authors, artists and game developers in a series of workshops to gather ideas on what a sustainable future could look like and how it could be brought to life in the form of a 24-page comic.  

Key themes and challenges emerged and the team have explored ideas including how to help nature recover without threatening food production, and how land managers can make decisions that are financially viable today but also sustainable in future. 

Starting at 10am on Sunday 9 June, Daniel Locke and Sussex researchers, Dr Chris Sandom and Dr Joseph Walton, will sit down to put these ideas on paper, creating an illustrated journey into the future to explore how these challenges could be overcome and how we can personally help. Members of the public can drop into the Phoenix Art Space any time between 10am and 4pm to see the comic take shape, offer ideas, or create a comic of their own.  

Artist, Daniel Locke says: 
“I am deeply interested in the issues around the climate crisis and feel passionate about the need for everybody, regardless of their background, or level of expertise, to contribute to the important debates around sustainability.

“I think this project offers an opportunity for people to start considering what a sustainable future might look and feel like. It’s been fascinating working with the experts and researchers I’ve met so far, and I’m excited about what Chris and I are going to create in our mad dash 24-hour creative marathon.” 

The Sussex researchers are also developing a framework which will allow others to create their own visions of the future in the form of a 24-hour comic. Their aim is to give people a voice and to understand what common themes emerge, to help truly build a more sustainable South East.  

Check out the comic here!