I woke this morning to light streaking the dark sky. The aurora borealis had eluded me through two autumn visits to Iceland and my first winter in Alaska. Now it swept over my neighborhood like cosmic fireworks for New Year’s Day. I stepped onto the snowy balcony in my bathrobe, catching my breath at the cold and the eerie beauty. Luminous shafts shimmered above the trees, almost like smoke rising from the Chugach Range. Looking up into the veil gave me a giddy lightspeed effect. Check “see northern lights” off my list of things to achieve in 2025!
Conventional New Year’s resolutions don’t appeal to me—why wait to start a better habit?—but I do set a few goals every year. I did reasonably well on my 2024 ambitions. Although I didn’t finish the sequel to Beat in Her Blood, I did quite a lot of writing as I pursued the year’s prime goal of earning a certificate in Science Communication. I’m proud to say that I completed the credential just a few weeks ago. The coursework reanimated my roots in journalism and reminded me that narratives take many forms.
Ironically, non-fiction engages me in much the same way as “hard” sci-fi: my curiosity revels in the research, and I like the challenge of telling a good story within a factual framework. I practiced my new skills writing outreach media and local periodical features for a wildlife rehabilitation center. Sure, Alaska Senior Voice is a long way from The Atlantic, but it’s experience. More importantly, these pro bono projects support environmental efforts.
Ten years ago, I thought cli-fi was my best instrument for environmental advocacy. People seemed unmoved by scientific evidence for climate change, so I hoped dramatizing the data might promote awareness. A decade of disasters later, humanity is painfully awake to its new ecological reality. Ecological degradation is inevitable. Yet there’s still a lot we can save, including our own species. If we are to salvage what’s left of our planet, we need more than prophecy. We need plans.
The academic momentum from my certificate has motivated me to undertake a master’s program in Environmental Science. This will hopefully facilitate a career pivot toward environmental policy. I still aspire to write the future, just in a different way. Between graduate studies and a full-time job, my author platform will have to take a backseat. I may post occasional blog updates, and still intend to continue work on the Heavy Metal Quartet. But my main goal for 2025 will be education. Thank you for following my journey to this point. I look forward to reconnecting after this new chapter!
Wild Type 