Mixed Messages

On April 22, millions of people around the globe will observe Earth Day, the annual celebration of our planet. They will plant trees and pick up trash. But 24 hours of attention isn’t enough, this cartoon points out. One reason? Litter is a problem every day of the year.

Litter is garbage that gets left on the ground instead of being put in a trash can or recycle bin. All those cans, bottles, and food wrappers have an enormous cost for the planet. They often are carried by rain or wind into storm drains, streams, or rivers and end up in larger bodies of water. Wildlife in the oceans or on land can become entangled in the garbage or die after mistaking bits of it for food. 

The U.S. spends $11.5 billion a year to clean up litter, according to the group Keep America Beautiful. Still, more needs to be done. 

This cartoon employs a literary device called irony. That technique uses words or images that convey the opposite of their usual meaning—for example by pointing out the difference between what people say and what they actually do. Study the cartoon, then answer the questions.

1. What has just happened here? How can you tell?

2. What are the men doing? Who is missing from the scene?

3. How are the signs on the ground an example of irony?

4. How would you sum up the cartoon’s message?