Abstract
This paper explores how African and African American climate fiction, through a multicultural lens, challenges anthropocentric narratives by foregrounding the intertwined fates of the Black body and the natural world. By analyzing works from authors such as N.K. Jemisin, Mia Couto, and Octavia Butler, this study reveals how these literatures depict the Black body as inseparably linked with environmental crises, mirroring the historical exploitation and marginalization faced by Black communities. Through close readings, the paper argues that these authors offer a non-anthropocentric perspective that highlights the cyclical nature of environmental and social injustices. This perspective contrasts with dominant climate narratives, which often overlook the experiences of marginalized communities. The entangled relationship between the Black body and the environment is portrayed as a critical lens for understanding the broader implications of climate change. Moreover, this analysis connects African American and Luso-African texts within the framework of the Black Atlantic, emphasizing a transnational approach to climate fiction. By doing so, it expands the discourse to include diverse voices that critique the anthropocentric worldview and advocate for a more empathetic and inclusive understanding of humanity’s relationship with nature. This approach not only enriches climate fiction but also underscores the urgent need for a global, multicultural response to environmental challenges.
Presenters
Anthoni Mc ElrathStudent, Environmental Humanities, University of Massachusetts Amherst, United States
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
2025 Special Focus—Oceanic Journeys: Multicultural Approaches in the Humanities
KEYWORDS
Transatlantic, Ecocriticism, Decolonization, Climate fiction, Environmental Challenges, Alternative Perspectives, Blackness
