FRANKFURT AM MAIN – One internationally renowned writer has lost sleep over the climate crisis, while another sees young activists for the environment as long lost friends. Here’s a look at what they had to say about the state of the world at this week’s Frankfurt book fair, which ends Sunday.
Margaret Atwood on Extinction Rebellion
“This is our last chance as the human race. If we don’t get it right soon, that’s it for us,” the legendary novelist told audiences, adding that her biologist father was already sounding the climate alarm back in the 1950s.
Atwood, 79, who this week co-won the prestigious Booker Prize for her sequel to the dystopian classic “The Handmaid’s Tale,” said she fully supported Extinction Rebellion campaigners who use peaceful disruptive action to draw attention to climate change.
“I have watched this unfold over the decades. I wrote a trilogy centering around the extinction of species and the climate crisis that is now upon us.
“So I was very happy to see all these young people show up. Like, where have you been all my life!”
Maja Lunde’s sleepless nights
Norwegian novelist Lunde, who is working on a quartet of climate fiction books that started with the smash hit “The History of Bees,” admitted to losing sleep about the environment.
“I suddenly wake up and see images of the Amazon burning,” she told the fair.
“Right now, I think a lot of us know on an objective level that the state of the world is really bad,” the 44-year-old said.
“But we haven’t really understood with our hearts. And I think literature can be a way into our hearts,” Lunde added, calling for urgent action.
“Homo sapiens is an amazing animal. Think of all the things we have done. Of course we can stop the climate and nature crisis if we truly want to.”