Climate Stories & Cli-Fi
Provided by: Climate Junction|Published on: June 18, 2026|Last updated: September 26, 2026
Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12, AP
Type: Articles/Websites
Subjects: English Language Arts
Authors: Maggie Light
Location: Earth
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Synopsis
- This article explores climate fiction, or cli-fi, as a storytelling genre that addresses climate change across literature, film, television, and other media.
- It examines common tropes such as us-versus-them narratives, fossil fuel industry narratives, speculative fiction, and apocalyptic settings, and considers how these stories shape emotions, beliefs, and public opinion.
Teaching Materials
Classroom Implementation:
- Use the discussion of narrative transportation and us-versus-them framing to support persuasive or analytical writing tasks.
- Alternatively, use this article to launch an exploration and analysis of a cli-fi work that incorporates the tropes and frameworks described.
- Consider adjusting the article's reading level for your students, as it is written at a college-level.
Related Resources:
- Assign this short writing activity for students to practice cli-fi creative writing.
- Use this article within a larger module about climate storytelling.
Options for Action:
- Have students write their own cli-fi or other forms of climate storytelling, submit them for publishing in school and local newspapers, and enter them into youth climate writing contests.
This resource explores the current state of climate stories in media and how climate stories should be presented in the future. The classic us-versus-them thinking about climate change is directly challenged, instead focusing on the importance of collaboration to affect positive change. An excellent collection of readings is included that features several peer-reviewed articles. This resource is recommended for teaching.
Teaching Tips
Standards
Resource Type and Format
Scientist Reviewed
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Our review process ensures that every resource in our library reflects the current state of climate science.
Learn about our review process →
