Should Jon Kent be Protesting for Climate Change?

October 20th, 2021

The cover for Superman: Son of Kal-El #7 sparked plenty of debate regarding the image of Jonathan Kent joining in on a climate change protest. Many across Twitter, Facebook and in the comments section of news articles have ridiculed this idea as ‘moronic’ and ‘a blatant attempt at pandering’. Fans asking why Jon would bother, when he could use his freeze breath to defeat the threat behind him, or use some other power to end climate change for good. However, Jon’s decision on this cover is not one that should be mocked. While, yes, he could use his powers to do good, Jon is proving a sentiment that his father learnt the hard way in 1998.

In 1998s Superman: Peace on Earth, written by Paul Dini with art by Alex Ross, we see Superman attempting to end world hunger. An issue that is just as pressing as climate change. Superman proposes to the United Nations that he helps by delivering food to the settlements most in need, an act that he is praised for at first. However, this sparks military action from the countries he is attempting to help. Chemical weapons are fired towards him while he attempts to deliver more food. The food that had arrived had been poisoned by these military factions. Ones that want to control their population by controlling the food and water supply. Superman fails. At this point, it becomes clear that while Superman could take over, insist that they accept his help, and crush those against it, he could not truly end world hunger unless everyone does their part. Superman instead decides to lead by example, sharing knowledge to those in need and inspiring hope.

What we are seeing with Jon is an evolution of this message. That things will not get better unless the world agrees to change it. Jon, as Superman stands together with mankind in order to promote the idea that all need to do their part. Standing with the protestors makes a statement in itself, he is using his power as a symbol of hope to draw attention to this need in order to fix the problem.

While the issue is not currently on the stands, it is impossible to tell what will happen with the issue. But both the legacy and impact of Superman should not be forgotten when we see him interacting with people. From the characters incarnation, he has been the Champion of the Oppressed, a legacy that Jon is living up to.