Here is an interesting list of people’s responses to climate catastrophe, observed and compiled by Jem Bendell. Following each, I will try to respond by relating them to the situation of the writer (esp. the present writer). 1.) “Reading and talking much more about societal collapse, and all the issues it brings up, but without significantly changing behaviour.” (Well, that hits pretty close to home) 2.) “Survivalism; self-sufficiency off-grid.” (I wouldn’t have a clue how to begin. And why would you do it, if you have to survive in a world where only survivalists can survive?) 3.) “Pursuing spiritual fulfillment; putting things in cosmic perspective” (Nice work if you can get it. But do you have an ethical obligation toward all those other people you’re sharing the planet with? Or would trying to resist the unravelling of physical human society constitute resisting the cosmic plan?) 4.) “Talking about societal collapse in one’s professional circles, to explore what could be done within one’s profession and beyond.” (This, I’m trying to think through. My profession is at least as deeply in denial as any. Some are writing climate-change poetry or fiction. But the means of delivery and role of literature – and the culture of publishing – the institutions – remain unchanged. But they won’t indefinitely. What will replace them, if anything?) 5.) Speaking out – “about purpose and values and not accepting the dominant assumptions about growth, profit and conformity.” (It’s been done – and without much effect. Which doesn’t mean one shouldn’t. In the meantime, all our solid assumptions melt into air.) 6.) “Reducing workload to create more time for exploring the issue of climate chaos or societal collapse, in anticipation of making a major decision about changing one’s life.” (Hopefully that’s what I’ve been doing – but I’m not feeling the anticipated breakthrough – or the decisiveness.) 7.) “Developing skills that will be useful, in your free time.” (If you have any. But a good idea for everybody, if you do. We have to be prepared for the unpredictable. Seneca: “Reckon on everything. Expect everything.”) 8.) “Cultivating more compassion and kindness.” (This is perhaps at the heart of the ethical challenge of climactic and societal chaos. Certainly a lot has been written about this topic. Maybe not enough. Writers themselves, in their interactions with each other, could certainly use more of it.) 9.) Trying to deal with the affective responses to climate chaos and societal collapse and helping others to do so. (This option might have the most “juice” for writers, esp. poets, provided they’re willing to be honest – for instance, by admitting they have affective responses to this mess. But real honesty is often bad for one’s career. Affective upset in the customer = low sales. Keep it positive – don’t mention climate chaos.) 10.) “Looking for networks of people who are creating self-reliant ‘Arks.’” (Like the “Ararats” of the God’s Gardeners in Margaret Atwood’s Year of the Flood, I guess. Couldn’t hurt to stock up on canned goods. Or books, paper, pens. This approach would be especially useful in the case of sudden natural disasters. But self-reliance can only go so far if the climate is not conducive to life.) 11.) Trying to appreciate the moment and developing inner peace, but carrying on as always (That is, until you can’t anymore. But in the meantime, this is an excellent idea, provided it’s not promoting denial. Or capitulation. (see # 12).) 12.) Consciously-chosen denial. Carpe diem, for tomorrow we die. (An approach with a distinguished literary pedigree.) 13.) Trying to get politicians to prepare for climate chaos (Good luck with that one). 14.) Geoengineering. (Yeah, right. Whatever.) 15.) Nonviolent direct action to curb practices that are making things worse (Like driving to direct action actions, maybe. In any case, writing ≠ direct action – it does not disrupt the functioning of Capital. Quite the contrary, in most cases.) 16.) “[P]ractical grassroots initiatives to develop capabilities for deep adaptation.” (In civil society, I take it (as opposed to #13). This one sounds like the most practical and likely of success – and the one that would leave you the least time to write. The Deep Adaptation Forums initiated by Bendell are a good start. But how to get your municipality, township, or neighborhood on board? Like I say, better put that novel on hold.) 17.) Developing “the cultural concepts that will help us to find and express meaning after societal-collapse. It involves looking for beauty and meaning in a new context.” (At first blush, this sounds like a no-brainer for writers and artists of all kinds. But it could also mean “How I Stopped Worrying and Learned to Love the Collapse.” Or maybe that’s just my way of saying that I can’t imagine “meaning” that doesn’t include taking active measures to ameliorate the situation, at least for a few people. Which in itself could be an art.) 18.) “Evangelising about one’s views on life, the cosmos and human organisation.” (Again, like the God’s Gardeners – or Jem Bendell, perhaps. Or those who can evangelize about literature with a straight face, maybe . . . . But can you attract followers, or even listeners, if you don’t promise them eternal life? What’s in it for them?) 19.) Anger, anxiety, depression, suicide. (All of which have produced some great literature but aren’t very attractive alternatives to pursue deliberately.) 20.) Violent direct action. (In terms of political/social change, sadly, this approach – or at least the perceived threat of violence or property destruction – seems to be the only thing that, historically, has produced concessions from the powers that be, in the U.S. But most of us can’t countenance such things. And would it really produce significant change, under the present circumstances, or an excuse for a fascist takeover? But then, there is a lot of great prison writing.) 21. Surely somebody has some comment about some of this . . .
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June 2021
Kristin Prevallet Author/Editor
I'm a writer & teacher in Lawrence, Kansas who actually believes the scientists. I wrote a book of poems called Of Some Sky that seems to have something to do with all this. |