Green Literature: Inspiring Change Through Words
February 5, 2024By Tafadzwa Ashely Gore, 2024 Future Blue Youth Council member
Featured Image: “The Book of the Earth” by Denis Avdic (Bosnia and Herzegovina)
Writing can be just as critical a form of activism as speaking.
I’m a young, 17-year-old, published, award-winning environmentalist and a proud member of the Future Blue Youth Council. Writing is my passion, and I use it as a powerful form of activism to spread awareness about environmental issues. I believe that writing is just as important as speech when it comes to making a difference. That’s why I use Green Literature to share stories, articles, and poems that raise eco-awareness. Eco-awareness is all about educating people and inspiring them to take action to protect our planet. It covers topics like climate change, deforestation, and pollution. Some articles I’ve written include “Ozone Layer Depletion” in Stem Medley and “Youth in Action: Environmentalism and Art” in Teen Ink. By writing about these issues, I hope to inspire others to join the movement and make a positive impact on our environment.
You know what’s interesting? When I first started writing, I had no idea that I was contributing to the Green Literature or Eco-Literature genre. But as I looked back on my work, I noticed a recurring theme of nature and environmental consciousness. That’s when it hit me—I was writing Green Literature all along! I mostly use non-fiction to spread awareness about environmental issues, but I have realized that there are so many talented young writers out there who use fiction or even blend different genres with Green Literature. One of my inspirations is Dara McAnulty, an award-winning author, naturalist and conservationist from Northern Ireland. Despite being such a young writer, Dara has published three books covering his interests as a young naturalist. This is truly inspirational to other young people. We need to keep promoting and supporting Green Literature because it plays a fundamental role in educating and inspiring future generations. I truly hold the belief that, through this genre, we can create a deeper connection between people and the environment, fostering a greater sense of responsibility for the world we live in.
In a world where literature seems to be eroding, it can be a bit scary to think that Green Literature might not have a future. Nevertheless, for years, books, reading, and writing have always been a form of communication. So I strongly believe that Green Literature will continue to develop and thrive for generations to come. As an environmentalist, it’s incredibly satisfying to write about what I’m passionate about. As part of the Bow Seat community, we can definitely use more writing to spread eco-awareness. That’s the beauty of Green Literature—it allows us to combine our love for writing with our desire to make a positive impact on the environment.
Books are like seeds, planting ideas of environmental awareness and nurturing a love for our planet.
If you’re interested, you can participate in Bow Seat’s Ocean Awareness Contest. It’s a phenomenal opportunity to showcase your creative writing skills and raise awareness about environmental issues. You can even incorporate green literature into your submissions. Whether you love writing fiction or creative nonfiction, there’s a category for you to shine. All the best, and inspire others to join, too!
I’ve got a list of book recommendations below! These books are all about environmentalism, sustainability, and our beautiful connection with nature. Happy reading!
- “Silent Spring” by Rachel Carson
- “Braiding Sweetgrass” by Robin Wall Kimmerer
- “The Overstory” by Richard Powers
- “The Lorax” by Dr. Seuss
- “Walden” by Henry David Thoreau