Climate fiction, often abbreviated as cli-fi, is a genre of literature that deals with climate change and global warming. Notable works of cli-fi include novels, movies, and plays. The term “climate fiction” is a neologism that was coined to describe a new genre of literature that focuses on the consequences of anthropogenic global warming. Though the genre is new, it has already produced many works that have significantly contributed to the literary and scientific discourse around climate change.
Climate fiction is a sub-genre of science fiction, but it also intersects with other genres such as dystopian fiction, eco-fiction, and speculative fiction. The genre is characterized by its focus on climate change and its potential consequences. This can include everything from dystopian futures where humanity struggles to survive in a drastically altered climate, to more optimistic scenarios where humanity manages to mitigate the effects of climate change and adapt to a new world.
Origins and Evolution of Climate Fiction
The origins of climate fiction can be traced back to the late 20th century, when authors began to grapple with the emerging scientific consensus about global warming. However, it wasn’t until the early 21st century that the genre really started to take shape. This was largely due to the increasing public awareness of climate change and its potential consequences, which provided fertile ground for authors to explore these issues in their work.
As the genre has evolved, it has become more diverse in its approaches and themes. Early works of climate fiction often focused on dystopian futures, but more recent works have explored a wider range of scenarios. These include not only dystopian futures, but also more hopeful visions of the future where humanity manages to mitigate the effects of climate change and adapt to a new world.
Notable Early Works
Some of the earliest works of climate fiction include novels like “The Drowned World” by J.G. Ballard and “The Sheep Look Up” by John Brunner. These novels, published in the 1960s and 1970s respectively, were among the first to explore the potential consequences of global warming.
Another early work of climate fiction is “The End of Nature” by Bill McKibben, published in 1989. This non-fiction book was one of the first to bring the issue of global warming to the attention of a wider audience. It has been credited with helping to popularize the genre of climate fiction.
Recent Developments
In recent years, the genre of climate fiction has continued to evolve and diversify. This has been driven in part by the increasing urgency of the climate crisis, which has prompted authors to explore a wider range of scenarios and themes.
Notable recent works of climate fiction include “The Water Will Come” by Jeff Goodell and “The Great Derangement” by Amitav Ghosh. These books, published in the 2010s, reflect the growing diversity of the genre, with “The Water Will Come” focusing on the impact of sea level rise on coastal communities, and “The Great Derangement” exploring the cultural and psychological aspects of the climate crisis.
Themes and Characteristics of Climate Fiction
Climate fiction is characterized by its focus on climate change and its potential consequences. This can include everything from dystopian futures where humanity struggles to survive in a drastically altered climate, to more optimistic scenarios where humanity manages to mitigate the effects of climate change and adapt to a new world.
Despite the diversity of the genre, there are several common themes and characteristics that can be found in many works of climate fiction. These include a focus on the human impact of climate change, the exploration of possible future scenarios, and the use of climate change as a metaphor for other social and political issues.
Human Impact
One of the key themes in climate fiction is the human impact of climate change. This can include the physical impacts, such as extreme weather events and sea level rise, as well as the social and psychological impacts. Many works of climate fiction explore how climate change affects individuals and communities, and how people respond to these challenges.
For example, in “The Water Will Come“, Jeff Goodell explores the impact of sea level rise on coastal communities. He interviews residents and experts, and paints a vivid picture of the challenges these communities face as a result of climate change.
Future Scenarios
Another common theme in climate fiction is the exploration of possible future scenarios. This can include dystopian futures where humanity struggles to survive in a drastically altered climate, as well as more optimistic scenarios where humanity manages to mitigate the effects of climate change and adapt to a new world.
For example, in “The Great Derangement“, Amitav Ghosh explores a range of possible futures, from a dystopian world ravaged by climate change, to a more hopeful future where humanity has managed to adapt to a new climate.
Impact and Influence of Climate Fiction
Climate fiction has had a significant impact on both the literary world and the broader cultural discourse around climate change. By bringing the potential consequences of climate change to life in a vivid and compelling way, climate fiction has helped to raise awareness of the issue and stimulate discussion and debate.
Climate fiction has also influenced other genres of literature and art. For example, it has inspired a new genre of theatre known as “cli-fi theatre”, which uses the medium of theatre to explore the themes and issues raised by climate fiction.
Influence on Literature and Art
Climate fiction has had a significant influence on other genres of literature and art. For example, it has inspired a new genre of theatre known as “cli-fi theatre”, which uses the medium of theatre to explore the themes and issues raised by climate fiction.
Climate fiction has also influenced the visual arts, with many artists using the themes and issues raised by climate fiction as inspiration for their work. For example, the artist Justin Brice Guariglia has created a series of works that explore the impact of climate change on the Arctic.
Influence on Public Discourse
Climate fiction has also had a significant impact on the broader cultural discourse around climate change. By bringing the potential consequences of climate change to life in a vivid and compelling way, climate fiction has helped to raise awareness of the issue and stimulate discussion and debate.
For example, “The End of Nature” by Bill McKibben, one of the earliest works of climate fiction, has been credited with helping to popularize the issue of global warming and stimulate public debate on the issue.
Future of Climate Fiction
The future of climate fiction is likely to be shaped by the ongoing evolution of the climate crisis. As the impacts of climate change become increasingly apparent, it is likely that the genre will continue to evolve and diversify, exploring a wider range of scenarios and themes.
It is also likely that climate fiction will continue to influence other genres of literature and art, and contribute to the broader cultural discourse around climate change. As such, the future of climate fiction looks set to be as dynamic and diverse as the genre itself.
Emerging Trends
One emerging trend in climate fiction is the increasing focus on the social and psychological impacts of climate change. This reflects a growing recognition that climate change is not just a physical phenomenon, but also a social and psychological one.
Another emerging trend is the exploration of more hopeful scenarios, where humanity manages to mitigate the effects of climate change and adapt to a new world. This reflects a growing desire for positive visions of the future, in contrast to the dystopian futures often depicted in earlier works of climate fiction.
Potential Developments
Looking ahead, there are several potential developments that could shape the future of climate fiction. One is the increasing use of virtual and augmented reality technologies, which could provide new ways for authors to bring the potential consequences of climate change to life.
Another potential development is the increasing intersection of climate fiction with other genres, such as fantasy and horror. This could result in a further diversification of the genre, and the creation of new sub-genres of climate fiction.
Kathryn Taylor was born and raised in the Midwest and has been a book lover and writer since childhood. As a queer teenager, she found solace in writing, and has written professionally ever since graduating from college. She loves a variety of fiction book genres, including romance books, thrillers, YA, sci-fi, and adventure. She's also a fan of the Oxford comma.
Kathryn has received numerous awards for her writing and now writes exclusively for RT Book Reviews. She is a passionate activist in the LGBTQ+ community, speaking at conferences and leading queer writing workshops. When not reading and writing, Kathryn enjoys visiting local libraries and bookstores across the country, exploring new cities, and spending time with her family.
