4 Books That Bring Climate Change To Life
Can literature tackle climate change? Perhaps not directly, but it can shape how we understand, feel, and respond to the crisis. As the UN reports, the world is already 1.2°C warmer than pre-industrial levels, and India faces some of the most severe effects from rising temperatures and erratic monsoons to water scarcity affecting over 600 million people. Facts can inform us, but stories make us care.
We’ve handpicked four powerful books by Indian authors that bring the reality of climate change into sharp focus, stories that make us confront the crisis head-on!
A Cloud Called Bhura: Climate Champions to the Rescue by Bijal Vachharajani
In this witty yet thought-provoking tale, a mysterious brown cloud looms over Mumbai, throwing the city into chaos. Through the adventures of four children, Bijal Vachharajani captures the confusion, fear, and urgency of living in a polluted world.
Image Source: The Indian Express
The Little Rainmaker by Roopal Kewalaya
Imagine living in a city which is almost devoid of rain! Set in a drought-stricken town, this novel follows young Anoushka, who dreams of bringing back the rain for her sick grandfather. The story mirrors the challenges many communities face in India due to scarcity of water.
Bare Necessities: How to Live a Zero Waste Lifestyle By Sahar Mansoor & Tim de Ridder
A book that directly addresses the crisis of waste and its connection to climate change, serving as an eye-opener to the pressing issues of mass consumption and overproduction. It educates readers on adopting a zero-waste or more sustainable lifestyle through mindful consumption and conscious everyday choices.
The Hungry Tide by Amitav Ghosh
A modern classic, The Hungry Tide takes readers to the Sundarbans, a fragile ecosystem where rivers, tides, and tigers coexist. Ghosh explores displacement, conservation, and the intertwined fate of humans and nature in the context of climate change.
Image Source: Amazon.in
When Fairyland Lost Its Magic by Bijal Vachharajani
Consider this a Grimm’s Fairy Tale reimagined in India, set in a fairyland world suffocating under pollution and environmental ruin. Vachharajani uses a whimsical setting to highlight real-world environmental issues, making readers reflect on what happens when we stop caring for nature’s magic.
Image Source: Amazon.in