Words by Caitlin Lichimo.
Art can be a helpful tool to help navigate difficult emotions and conversations surrounding climate change. A theme emphasized by the work of Grace Nosek, UBC alumni and author of Rootbound, in her novel that uses fantasy, friendship, and fierce resistance to offer young readers a vision of a world worth fighting for.
Young adult climate fantasy that explores the transformative power of storytelling
Not only an author — Grace Nosek holds a PhD in Law, conducted postdoctoral research on the fossil fuel industry, and is an award-winning scholar. Outside of academia, Grace is a tireless advocate for climate justice, and emphasizes storytelling as a means of hopeful and imaginative conversations about climate change, youth empowerment, and the role of art in activism.
Her book Rootbound is a young adult climate fantasy about a seventeen-year-old girl searching for her sister who has disappeared during a climate protest, only to discover from rootbound ‘treetalkers’ that a mysterious underworld group has been kidnapping youth climate strikers.
“Rootbound is a gripping young adult climate fantasy novel bursting with hope, heart, adventure, and mystery (think Greta Thunberg x Percy Jackson + heaps of swoony, slow burn romance).”
- Grace Nosek
A climate storytelling panel for SDG Month
On March 20, the UBC Sustainability Hub hosted a conversation with Grace about her book Rootbound, and the unique role that climate fiction and art can play in inspiring youth and driving climate action.
Grace Nosek was joined in conversation by Dr. Amanda Giang, UBC Assistant Professor and Canada Research Chair in Environmental Modelling for Policy, and UBC Geography student Amy Leung. The trio highlighted climate fiction as a powerful vehicle for climate education and empowerment.
“Climate fiction and other forms of creative expression can challenge the dominant narratives driving the environmental crisis. Stories can inspire action, foster resilience, and deepen our connection to the natural world.”
- Grace Nosek
This event was organized by the UBC Sustainability Hub in collaboration with the Sustainable Development Solutions Network at the University of Calgary, UBC Climate Hub, The Youth Harbour, UBC Sauder School of Business, and Environment and Climate Change Canada.