Climate change is a complex issue that people around the world have been grappling with for decades. As the consequences of global warming become ever more apparent, climate fiction, or cli fi, has risen in popularity. It presents readers with a sobering yet fascinating look at what could become of our planet in the future. There are so many climate fiction books coming out at the moment that it’s hard to know where to start. We’ve narrowed it down to two options for you that are both incredibly insightful and wildly entertaining. First, a little explainer about the genre.
What is Cli-Fi?
Climate fiction, also known as “cli-fi,” is a genre of literature that envisions and explores the impacts of climate change on society and the environment. It often portrays speculative futures or dystopian scenarios shaped by climate-related challenges, offering a unique lens to examine our relationship with the planet. In this blog, we will take a journey through the best 2 cli fi books to start your rabbit hole into this genre. Rest assured, as we get deeper into the climate crisis, these books will only get more and more relevant.
American War by Omar El Akkad – Riveting climate fiction
American War by Omar El Akkad is an incredible cli-fi book that offers a gripping and thought-provoking exploration of a dystopian future. Set in a not-so-distant America devastated by climate change, this novel serves as a haunting reminder of the potential consequences of our actions. Prepare to be captivated by this extraordinary novel that challenges and inspires in equal measure. Read it here.
The Ministry for the Future by Kim Stanley Robinson – the best climate fiction book ever
“The Ministry for the Future” is an exemplary work of cli-fi by Kim Stanley Robinson. The novel follows the establishment of a new global organization tasked with saving humanity from the effects of climate change. Robinson delves into ideas of governance, politics and science. The Ministry for the Future remarkably succeeds as a call-to-action book. This has been listed as one of Obama’s favorite novels ever. We highly recommend digesting it as an audiobook too. The narration is masterfully done and makes the sprawling story easier to follow. Find it on Audible here.
The best climate fiction books are powerful tools that enable us to visualize and better understand the gravity of climate change. These books impress upon us the urgency of the crisis we face and prompt readers to consider the implications of our actions or inaction. This blog has offered a very shortlist of some of the most influential climate fiction novels of all time. So, take a moment, delve into these two fascinating novels. Let them educate, inform and entertain you, taking you on a journey through one of our world’s most pressing issues.
