Tag: environment

Gotta Catch ‘Em All: Pokemon Go Showed Me The World Through My Protagonist’s Eyes

July 13, 2016

“Watch out!” I caught my Laddie’s arm before he stepped off the curb, uncomfortably close to an SUV speeding down our street. The neighbor scowled at us from behind the wheel, but my Laddie was too absorbed in his phone to notice. “Stupid zubat got away,” he muttered. “You need a bodyguard to play Pokemon … More Gotta Catch ‘Em All: Pokemon Go Showed Me The World Through My Protagonist’s Eyes

The Real-Life Engees: Alaskan Communities On The Edge

September 1, 2015

Blue Karma keeps coming true. Last week’s an Alaskan company announced plans to ship water to California’s drought zones; now this evening, I watched an NBC Nightly News feature about Alaskan communities poised to become America’s first climate change refugees. Rising seas and shrinking coastlines mean flood and erosion, which may drive residents inland. Government estimates place the cost … More The Real-Life Engees: Alaskan Communities On The Edge

“Dystopies climatiques”: some things just sound cooler in French

August 31, 2015

The cli-fi piece I wrote for The Atlantic has gone international! French publication Libération picked it up last weekend. My French language skills are currently limited to gist translation of old Edith Piaf songs, but I like the sound of “J.K. Ullrich est romancière.” Romancière is a much more elegant term than “obscure-but-determined indie author”, don’t … More “Dystopies climatiques”: some things just sound cooler in French

The Real-Life Nilak? Company Proposes Shipping Water to Drought Zone

August 30, 2015

Back in February I wrote a post about the Cassandra curse of sci-fi writers: when a concept you’ve imagined is unexpectedly mirrored in reality. This weekend brought perhaps the most uncanny such moment I’ve ever experienced. According to USAToday, a private company plans to ship fresh water from Alaska to California, just like the fictional Nilak company in my … More The Real-Life Nilak? Company Proposes Shipping Water to Drought Zone

“Can books save the planet?”: my article for The Atlantic

August 15, 2015

If you’re interested in literature, STEM education, environmentalism, or just want to look at a picture of Jon Snow from “Game of Thrones” (yes, some culture critics argue the presence of cli-fi themes in George R.R. Martin’s fantasy series) check out the article I just wrote for The Atlantic about the growing popularity of cli-fi and its … More “Can books save the planet?”: my article for The Atlantic

Real-Life “Engees”: Record Numbers on World Refugee Day

June 20, 2015

Today the United Nations (U.N.) recognizes World Refugee Day, bringing attention to the plight of 60 million people worldwide who have been forced to flee their homes. One in every 122 humans is displaced or seeking asylum, according to the U.N. It’s not only international conflicts driving refugee numbers to this new record: an increasing number … More Real-Life “Engees”: Record Numbers on World Refugee Day