Ecology
In the XIXth century nobody knew the word "ecology". There were few caricatures devoted to nature, for example, in "Munich Leaflet" a tree was cutting a wood-cutter. J. Effel also touched upon this topic foreseeing traffic problems in urban areas. A Soviet man/woman, appointed the "master of nature" did not think much of environment. In the 1930s a traveler in B. Antonovsky's drawing "Mystery of Nature" looking at the uprooted trees could not decide, whether meteorite had fallen down, or the picnic had caused the disaster. People fought with nature, invented chemical and nuclear weapon, while nature made attempts to protect itself - with new diseases, for example. Sooner or later ecological self-consciousness should emerge.

After the Second World War the word "ecology" came into being, environmental caricatures had become prevailing. The caricaturists were the first to be alarmed. In the "Krokodil" magazine some caricatures of Kukriniksi, E. Vedernikov, A. Kanevsky and K. Eliseev mocked and criticized poaching, people who litter, smoking factory pipes, etc.

"Green" movement began in the West, and some exhibitions of caricatures devoted to ecological problems were held. ("Marostika-1977" in Italy; "Ozone" in Sofia). In 1970s the movement for the Animal Rights began in Britain. Vegetarians tried to convince everybody that to kill and eat animals is as disgusting as racial or sexual discrimination.

The USSR remained aside of the world "green" movement: money was spent for new weapons; as for nature protection and ecological education, the authorities were economical.

At last, in 1980s the ice was broken in Russia. Exhibition "Caricature Protects Nature" was held in Riga and Alma-Ata; in 1989 a newspaper "Sovetski Patriot" ("Soviet Patriot") organized an exhibition "Ecology and Us". To save and preserve rare species of animals and plants scientists published "Red Book of Nature", it has become a new symbol for caricaturists. In 1978 and 1980 caricaturists published two books under the title "Save Our Planet". The authorities did not and still do not care much about the environment, and the situation with Russian nature is getting worse. The caricaturists try their best, but our newspapers and magazines are full of politics and ads - no room for ecology...


1. "Munich Leaflet". Late XIXth century.
4. S. Tunin.


2. J. Effel. - Some means of transport pollute the atmosphere. From "The Creation"
8. V. Nenashev


7. M. Smagin.


5. V. Rozantsev.


3. I. Makarov.


 


6. G. Svetozarov.

By Dmitry Moskin
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