By Karlie Shoffner
The concern over climate change continues to increase each day. It is no surprise, then, that the climate fiction genre has emerged. Climate fiction is a branch of speculative fiction—although most novels are based on real science—in which authors write about climate issues. Many authors use this genre to either show what they believe will happen to the world if climate change continues to be ignored or to bring awareness to current issues. Here are just four climate fiction novels who work to educate readers on current issues in our world.
Flight Behavior by Barbara Kingsolver
Dellarobia Turnbow’s life is changed when she sees a valley full of monarch butterflies. The arrival of the butterflies causes a media frenzy. First, her community believes the butterflies are a miracle and word spreads from news outlet to news outlet about their existence. Then, a scientist by the name of Ovid arrives to study the butterflies and brings heartbreaking news with him: the butterflies are not supposed to be there, and their arrival could mean something very bad. Kingsolver’s novel shows readers a species on the cusp of extinction, as well as the looming threat of climate change, and all the forms it takes.
The Water Knife by Paolo Bacigalupi
Water supplies have become limited in Bacigalupi’s novel. The future is full of vast draughts and in most places, rain evaporates before it can even hit the ground. The novel focuses on the American Southwest where cities fight for control over the Colorado River. Las Vegas has its own protectors known as the water knives who defend their share of water by any means necessary. Angel Velasquez is a water knife who has been sent to Phoenix to investigate a new rumored source of water. He soon learns that this water will not be easy to get, and its discoverer is not ready to sacrifice her secret.
Termination Shock by Neal Stephenson
The effects of climate change have arrived in Stephenson’s novel. The world is full of flooding, superstorms, heat waves, and pandemics. A man develops an idea to reverse climate change, but there is large doubt behind his plan. Many are uncertain if it would even work or if reversal is as desired as they believe it to be. The novel is explored through the perspectives of people from many different countries, all of which will be harshly hit by climate change. It is through them that the debate of change is explored or if going back to the old world is as bad as the current world they live in.
American War by Omar El Akkad
A second American Civil War has begun over the usage of fossil fuels. The United States decides to ban the usage of fossil fuels, and the South, not wanting to give them up, secedes from the Union. Sarat Chestnut is just a child when the war begins and at the age of seven, she is sent to a refugee camp after the death of her father. Sarat soon befriends a strange man, and the young girl is trained as a deadly assassin for southern rebels. Her decisions will have deadly affects on both her family and the strangers that surround her for generations.
For those that do not enjoy reading nonfiction novels, climate fiction can be a great way for readers to learn about current global issues. Each of these novels bases their plots on scientific facts and what problems currently exist in the world due to the climate crisis. They will entertain readers while also educating them on modern problems.
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