Pre-reading questions:
- What is climate fiction?
- Do you think climate fiction helps us better understand and respond to the challenges posed by climate change in our own lives and communities?
Vocabulary:
- tackle /TAK-uhl/
- crisis /KRAHY-sis/
- extreme /ik-STREEM/
- implement /IM-pluh-ment/
- policy /POL-uh-see/
[verb] – to try to deal with something or someone
The coach taught the football players how to tackle properly to prevent injuries during games.
[noun] – a time of great disagreement, confusion, or suffering
The company went bankrupt due to the financial crisis that affected the entire country.
[adjective] – very severe or bad
The mountain climber faced extreme weather conditions while climbing the peak, but he managed to reach the top safely.
[verb] – to start using a plan or system
The government decided to implement new policies to reduce pollution levels in the city.
[noun] – a set of ideas or a plan of what to do in particular situations that has been agreed to officially by a group of people, a business organization, a government, or a political party
The company’s social media policy restricts employees from posting controversial opinions on their personal accounts.
Article reading:
Climate fiction, a subgenre of science fiction, has been particularly scrutinized for its flawed portrayals of the climate crisis. Snowpiercer, a post-apocalyptic film set on a train, is a prime example of how climate fiction can go wrong. While it is true that climate change will lead to extreme weather conditions and the displacement of millions of people, the idea of an unending ice age is highly unlikely. Furthermore, relying solely on technology as a solution to combat climate change is not enough. We need to implement policy reforms, engage in collective action, and make systemic changes to mitigate the effects of climate change.
Although climate fiction has a critical role to play in raising awareness about the climate crisis, it is essential to present a realistic view of what the future might hold. It is time for climate fiction to reflect our current situation and the challenges we face and present actionable solutions.
Comprehension questions
- What is climate change, and why is it no longer a distant threat?
- How have literature and cinema addressed climate change, and what have been some criticisms of their portrayals?
- What is climate fiction, and why has it been criticized for its flawed portrayals of the climate crisis?
- Why is relying solely on technology not enough to combat climate change, according to the article?
- What steps need to be taken to mitigate the effects of climate change, according to the article?
Discussion questions
- Have you ever read a book or watched a movie that made you think differently about climate change? If so, could you tell me about it? If not, what steps do you take to stay informed about environmental issues?
- Have you ever taken part in any activities that are related to combating climate change, such as participating in a climate strike or planting trees? If yes, could you tell me about it? If not, do you think that individual actions such as planting trees or attending climate strikes can have a significant impact on combating climate change? Why or why not?
- Do you think that technology alone can solve the climate crisis?
- How can literature and cinema encourage collective action to mitigate the effects of climate change?
- What changes have you made in your own life to reduce your carbon footprint?