Jennifer Atkinson Publishes Chapter in “Teaching the Literature of Climate Change”

Jennifer Atkinson published a chapter titled “Stories from our Future: Beyond the Binary of Climate Hope and Grief” in the new MLA book on Teaching the Literature of Climate Change. The collection — edited by Debra J. Rosenthal and published by the Modern Language Association — explores literature as a means to cultivate students’ understanding of the ongoing climate crisis, ethics in times of disaster, and the intrinsic intersectionality of environmental issues.

Atkinson’s chapter argues that when climate despair overtakes the classroom, the ability to imagine – let alone work toward – a livable future can be compromised by fear, hopelessness and apocalyptic thinking. Narratives that strengthen our sense of hope and collective purpose can offer a powerful antidote when facing difficult emotions. Her chapter outlines a collective storytelling assignment that helps students generate visions of alternative futures and the roadmaps to get there. The activity is specifically designed to address three common problems feeding student hopelessness in the age of climate crisis. These include binary thinking about hope and grief; a sense of isolation and existential loneliness; and the inability to imagine non-apocalyptic futures. Atkinson argues that by dismantling those roadblocks and working through various components of this speculative storytelling activity, students can cultivate the existential tenacity needed to stay engaged in our collective work for climate justice.