nitrogenfiktion

Nitrogenfiktion is a term used in environmental humanities and speculative literature to describe narrative approaches that place nitrogen—the element that makes up about 78% of Earth's atmosphere and a central driver of modern agriculture and climate—at the center of storytelling. It encompasses fiction, essays, and multimedia projects that explore the nitrogen cycle, synthetic fixation (notably the Haber-Bosch process), fertilizer politics, greenhouse gas emissions, and the ecological and social consequences of nutrient flows.

The term emerged in scholarly discussions about how to convey complex biogeochemical processes and policy implications through narrative and design. Proponents use nitrogenfiktion to reveal the hidden infrastructures, routines, and power relations that shape nitrogen use—from industrial production to smallholder farming, urban waste, and global trade.

Forms and methods include speculative or near-future fiction, historical or counterfactual narratives, documentary-style writing, and data-driven storytelling that integrates science with human stories. Common themes are industrialization and dependence on synthetic fertilizers, environmental injustice, nutrient pollution, food security, and climate change, as well as ethical questions about stewardship and responsibility for Earth's nitrogen budget.

Reception has been mixed: supporters see nitrogenfiktion as a useful tool for communicating complex systems and spurring policy reflection; critics caution that the term can become vague without clear definitions or grounding in scientific literacy.

See also: nitrogen cycle, Haber-Bosch process, fertilizer industry, ecofiction, climate fiction, environmental humanities.