Global Literature and the Environment analyses literatures from across the world that connect readers to the localized impacts of the climate and ecological emergencies. The book contextualizes ecological breakdown within the history of imperialist-capitalism exploring how literature helps us to imagine and create a habitable and just world for all forms of life. The four chapters are organised according to the elements of the climate system that are at risk. ‘Earth’ examines Caribbean American South African and British literatures that explore how dominant human groups have exploited soils minerals metals and oil in pursuit of economic aims. ‘Water’ engages with poetic representations of and responses to extraction pollution and global warming in the fresh- and saltwaters of Nigeria and the icescapes of Alaska. ‘Air’ analyses prose and poetry that depicts atmospheric pollution caused by gas flaring in the Niger Delta and the production of pesticides in India. ‘Life’ attends to the ways in which literature contextualizes the drivers of and proposed solutions to mass species extinction across North America Africa Australasia and Aotearoa New Zealand. This accessible and engaging book explores novels plays and poetry by writers including Octavia Butler C.L.R. James dg nanouk okpik Ken Saro-Wiwa Imbolo Mbue Indra Sinha Witi Ihimaera J.M. Coetzee and Henrietta Rose-Innes amongst many others. It introduces readers to the concept of the Anthropocene alongside perspectives that challenge the assumption that the climate crisis is caused by an undifferentiated humanity. In doing so the book draws on and combines a range of theoretical approaches including postcolonialism Indigenous studies ecocriticism cultural materialism and animal studies.|Global Literature and the Environment | Literature
