klimatlitteratur

Klimatlitteratur is a term used in Swedish-language discourse to describe literature that foregrounds climate change, ecological crisis, and related environmental issues. It encompasses a broad range of genres, including novels, short stories, poetry, essays, reportage, memoirs, and graphic novels. The field intersects with environmental humanities, ecocriticism, and science communication, and is part of a global conversation about climate fiction, often referred to as cli-fi.

Thematically, klimatlitteratur typically engages with the Anthropocene, climate impacts, adaptation and mitigation, environmental justice, energy systems, migration, loss, and faith or despair about the future. Works may aim to illuminate the lived experiences of people affected by climate change, critique economic and political structures, or imagine alternative futures. The genre often blends factual information with narrative or imaginative elements to foster understanding, empathy, and reflection.

Historically, climate-focused writing has roots in nature writing and environmental journalism, but its prominence grew in the early 21st century as climate concerns entered public policy and everyday life. In Sweden and the Nordic countries, klimatlitteratur is developed within national literary ecosystems while engaging global debates, translations, and collaborations. Reception of klimatlitteratur ranges from praise for raising awareness and inspiring action to critiques concerning sensationalism or the perceived distancing of literature from technical analysis. Overall, the category serves as a cultural barometer for how societies interpret and respond to climate change through narrative means.