Weather disappeared largely from literature when it was seen unrealted to the actions of humans. With climate change now upon us, however, a new literary genre has arisen.
Tag Archives: climate change
Introducing a New Genre: Cli-Fi
Posted in Uncategorized Also tagged extreme weather, global warming, John Milton, Lost Children, Mary Oliver, Pjlds; Comments closed
Donne’s Warning about Climate Change
Looking back over the past year, I repost an essay on John Donne’s “Valediction: Forbidding Mourning” and climate change denial. Given that 2015 has been the warmest year on record and that “the weather outside is frightful,” Donne’s comments about “moving of th’ earth” are only too relevant.
Posted in Uncategorized Also tagged "Good Morrow, "Valediction: Forbidding Mourning", extreme weather, global warming, John Donne Comments closed
A Season for Miraculous Breakthroughs
In this Scott Bates poem about Operation Breakthrough, the 1988 American-Soviet rescue operation that liberated three ice-bound gray whales, the possibility for international cooperation to save the planet is imagined. Were he still alive today, my father would be excited by the 2015 Paris climate accord.
Posted in Uncategorized Also tagged "Great Whale Rap", Environment, Operation Breakthrough, Paris climate accord, Scott Bates, Whales Comments closed
Climate Hope Shines in Dark Times
Madeleine L’Engle’s 1971 Advent poem anticipates the gloom we feel today about climate change. Yesterday’s international accord, however–miraculously signed by 195 countries–gives us some glimmer of Christmas hope.
Posted in Uncategorized Also tagged "Advent 1971), climate accord, Madeleine L'Engle, pollution Comments closed
Climate Inaction Will Lead to a Dystopia
If we refuse to do anything to counteract climate change, we are doing grave injustice to our children and grandchildren. Russell Hoban’s post-apocalyptic fantasy “Riddley Walker” captures the selfishness that we would be guilty of.
Posted in Uncategorized Also tagged apocalypse, climate change denialism, global warming, GOP, politics, Riddley Walker, Russell Hoban Comments closed
Tolstoy and Climate Change Denial
The denial of the citizens of Moscow as Napoleon approaches the city, described by Tolstoy in “War in Peace,” resembles climate change denialism.
Posted in Uncategorized Also tagged climate change denialism, Environmentalism, global warming, GOP, Leo Tolstoy, politics, War and Peace Comments closed
Donne and Climate Change Denial
Somewhat unexpectedly, John Donne’s “Valediction Forbidding Mourning” gives insight into climate change denial.
Posted in Uncategorized Also tagged "Good Morrow, "Valediction: Forbidding Mourning", California drought, flooding, global warming, John Donne, Texas flooding Comments closed
The River’s Blood Turned to Stone
This Scott Bates fable captures the tragedy of California’s drought.
Posted in Uncategorized Also tagged "The River the Sun and the Water Lily", California drought, global warming, Scott Bates Comments closed
