Author:
Baden Denise,Brown Jeremy
Abstract
AbstractMany works of ‘climate fiction’ have a tendency to depict an apocalyptic future that imagines a planet in dystopian collapse. While hope is that such cautionary tales will prompt constructive behavior change, unintended consequences can occur leaving some audiences feeling defensive, hostile, or overly anxious. In contrast, there is a body of evidence indicating that stories and characters that model positive solutions to climate change are more likely to inspire audiences to imitate the fictional role models. This positive approach is shared by the authors of this chapter—Denise Baden in her rom-com Habitat Man and Jeremy Brown (and team) in the comic series The Renegades: Defenders of the Planet. This chapter draws on their experience to offer advice to creative writers within climate fiction. While there are differences in the depiction of gentle versus radical solutions, both authors advocate the need for stories that generate a sense of agency, hope, and courage.
Publisher
Springer International Publishing
Reference43 articles.
1. Ajzen, I. (1985). From intentions to actions: A theory of planned behavior. In J. Kuhl & J. Beckmann (Eds.), Action control: From cognition to behavior (pp. 11–39). Springer.
2. Arnold, D. L., Koeingsberger, K. M., Chow, V. W., Broderick, M., Mullen, M., Rushkoff, D., et al. (2004). Leaving Springfield: The Simpsons and the possibility of oppositional culture. Wayne State University Press.
3. Baden, D. A. (n.d.). Random Recipe generator. https://www.dabaden.com/habitat-man/random-recipe-generator/
4. Baden, D. (2019). Solution focused stories are more effective than catastrophic stories in motivating pro-environmental intentions. Ecopsychology, 11(4), 254–263.
5. Baden, D., & Frei, R. (2021). Product returns: An opportunity to shift towards an access-based economy? Sustainability, 14(1), 410.