Climate fiction has always been an unexplored genre for readers; in fact, some may be unaware that it exists at all. You may be wondering why this is the case. It’s because climate fiction is portrayed in some areas as too scientific for people to comprehend, or they’re simply uninterested in novels with the word climate in them, and in some cases portrayed as too boring for others to read to sleep. However, this is not true for all cli-fi novels; it’s not boring or uninteresting at all.
This genre can be anything as long as it is speculative fiction with a changing climate as a major plot device. It could be an adventure-like plot in which the protagonist sets out to find a scientist who can bring life back to Earth, or it could be a mystery-thriller plot in which a failed climate-change experiment kills all life except for survivors who board a ship. Isn’t it fascinatingly exciting?
If you’re new to the concept of climate change that’s just one of the many reasons why you should start reading cli-fi novels as soon as today, then Sam Bleicher’s Guardians of The Solar Shield, is a great piece to start if you’re new to the genre. This new release tells the story of a UN Solar Shields Corps Officer who faces political pressure, corruption, romance, intrigue, and murder while fighting climate disruption.
How could people have missed this?
People have been writing cli-fi stories and novels unwittingly for decades, and some people still fail to recognize this literary genre. It’s not the most popular genre, but it’s depicted in some of the most popular movies you’ve probably seen, such as Snowpiercer, The Day After Tomorrow, and Wall-E.
This begs the question of how you can let people know that this genre exists, not just under the genre of science fiction, but also in the sub-genre of climate fiction as well. Here are five things you need to know about climate fiction:
Climate change is a real thing
Most people believe that climate change is a sham made believable by scientists so people can take interest in their work. And you can’t blame them for their reaction because it’s based on the fact that some people lack the cognitive abilities to deal with the situation. It’s far too complex for others to comprehend and it’s too overwhelming of a problem that could cause a worldwide panic. Although these are plausible reasons for others to believe it, it doesn’t erase the fact that climate change exists.
But how do we convince people that climate change is real? Well, some people, particularly scientists, have a proclivity for improvising and thought, “Why not write a fiction novel about it?” because it seemed to them that if they could give the readers a way of imagining what it might be like to live in a climate-changed world, it might help them think about the problem more effectively.
Reawakens the instinct to adapt
Writing a novel about climate change can help people understand that the climate crisis, which includes greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, shrinking mountain glaciers, and sea-level rise, is more real than they can imagine. It allows them to hold ideas in their heads (or adapt to the situation) that they should do this or that in order to be less of a burden on the world such as segregating garbage, using energy wisely, and many more. And, cli-fi novels are so descriptive about the possible futures of the cause of climate change that readers’ hairs stand on end, believing that the world will end tomorrow because of it.
Strengthens emotional resilience
Believe it or not, but these cli-fi novels help you prepare for the great number of possible outcomes in a climate crisis when the situation calls for it. Climate change is terrifying, and whether or not you already knew how high the stakes are, focusing solely on the negative effects will not help anyone. It’s important to be aware of the severity and urgency of the climate crisis, but only seeing climate change as a threat can only make you feel depressed and hopeless.
Cli-fi novels not only help you prepare for the situation, but they also help you reassess the climate crisis as an opportunity to create a better future, accept that change is a natural part of life, and sort out the complicated feelings you have surrounding climate change.
Reassess’s the worst-case scenarios
Did you know that books depicting fear sell well? Some cli-fi novelists grab readers by the collar and compel them to keep reading by speaking to their worst fear, which is the “end of the world” as you know it. When people are focused on their fear, they tend to think to themselves and reassess their situation to see if they are doing the right thing.
Helps people accept change
Cli-fi novels help people realize that there is a lot going on in the world more than they know. It’s not just about the adventure, the mystery, the action or conspiracy but rather it’s about how the story can change other people’s lives. It helps people believe that change is possible and realizing this, helps them accept the change that climate change exists and you need to do something about it.
Oliver’s Twist 