Poetry as a Tool for Climate Communication and Ecological Awareness

An article published in The Conversation posits that speculative climate poetry plays a crucial role in fostering ecological awareness by transforming abstract climate scenarios into relatable experiences. It critiques the overreliance on scientific data, proposing that poetry captures the lived realities of future climates. Research indicates that eco-poetry shapes perceptions of locations and promotes engagement with environmental issues. Literature professor Andrew Gorin cautions against exaggerating poetry's direct influence on policy, emphasizing its subtle effects. Psychological research conducted in the US and Canada demonstrates that poetry can elicit emotional responses, with a study involving 27 German-speaking participants showing physiological reactions. The author’s doctoral work includes having school leaders compose speculative poems about climate hopes and uncertainties, alongside guidance for writing such poetry and mentioning The Conversation Climate Poetry Award for academics in the UK and Ireland.