Climate fiction emerged in the 21st century to explore climate change impacts through storytelling. It humanizes scientific data, raising awareness about environmental issues by depicting future scenarios with character-driven narratives set against climate-altered backdrops.

The Anthropocene, a proposed geological epoch defined by human impact on Earth's ecosystems, is a key concept in world literature. It blurs nature-culture boundaries, explores human-nature relationships, and incorporates non-human perspectives to highlight environmental urgency.

Climate Fiction and the Anthropocene in World Literature

Definition and role of cli-fi

• Climate fiction (cli-fi) emerged as distinct literary genre in early 21st century focuses on climate change impacts
• Raises awareness about environmental issues by exploring potential future scenarios
• Humanizes scientific data and predictions through character-driven stories set against climate-altered backdrops
• Employs narrative techniques like speculative fiction elements and dystopian or post-apocalyptic settings
• Depicts consequences of climate change including sea level rise, extreme weather events (hurricanes, droughts), resource scarcity, societal collapse, mass migration (climate refugees)

Anthropocene in world literature

• Proposed geological epoch defined by significant human impact on Earth's ecosystems
• Key literary features blur boundaries between nature and culture, explore human-nature relationships, themes of responsibility
• Representations incorporate non-human perspectives, temporal scales beyond human lifespans, interconnectedness of global ecosystems
• Challenges traditional narrative structures by emphasizing collective over individual experiences
• Incorporates scientific discourse into fictional narratives to highlight urgency of environmental issues

Cultural perspectives in cli-fi

• Global perspectives showcase varied cultural responses to climate change (indigenous knowledge, North-South divide)
• Regional variations depict climate change effects and adaptation strategies (coastal flooding, desertification)
• Environmental justice themes highlight disproportionate impacts on marginalized communities
• Ecological crisis narratives explore biodiversity loss, tipping points, interconnectedness of systems

Impact of cli-fi on climate action

• Translates complex scientific concepts into accessible narratives fostering empathy for those affected
• Encourages systems thinking about environmental issues by presenting sustainable future visions
• Inspires critical thinking by questioning current societal and economic systems
• Examines ethics of climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies
• Influences policy discussions and shapes media narratives about climate change
• Bridges gap between scientific and public understanding of environmental issues