Background noise

by Marcela Scarpellini

Today I woke up

to the screaming baby,

with a backdrop of

traffic noise and beeps

The monster is awake

and deepening its way

through:

Our life

Our ears

Our brains

The grinding starts

The monster must be fed:

with our brittle bones,

those which,

we,

voluntarily,

toss 

into its

unsatiable belly.

For the sake

of getting

the riches

we tell ourselves

we need

to buy

our peace

I woke up

The baby was crying,

don’t think he is sick,

he is just afraid

of what he starts

to glimpse

his life will be

And I angry

at all this noise

In the name of what

are we

Inflicting such pain?

Full pockets

and bubbling champagne?

There is more to this,

to the unknowing

of our ways

Basta.

The beepometer

is broken\shattered

into silence

And the monster

will just rest

when we are all

back at our desks.

La Abeja

by Marcela Scarpellini

Abrí la ventana

entró una abeja.

Pensé que

me picaría.

Me arropé

para protegerme.

Apagué la luz

se posó

junto a mi cama.

Duerme, pensé.

Solo necesita

un lugar tranquilo

en que descansar,

en que pasar la noche.

La miré después de un rato,

estaba muerta.

Vino a morir

junto a mí.

Quizás no encontró

agua

no encontró

polen.

Todo está seco,

su alimento

escasea.

Y así

como esta abeja

mueren

cientos de otros seres.

Por nuestra

incapacidad

de encontrar refugio

en lo simple.

Esa incapacidad

que nos empuja

a consumir

el mundo

del que todos

dependemos.

Descansa en paz

pequeña abeja.

Sabiendo que

como tù

moriremos todos

tarde o temprano.

Sońando

con otros mundos

en los que la vida

vale más

que el dinero.

Looking For A Climate Hero?

When we write climate stories, we often imagine our main characters as scientists or activists. But the truth is, anyone can be a climate character. We don’t need to create another Greta Thunberg.

Think of your own grandma, for example. She might just be the perfect climate hero. My grandmother lived in Istanbul, and she had some wonderful sustainable habits. She didn’t care if the peppers were perfectly shaped or if the apples and carrots looked like soldiers in a row. She didn’t buy pre-cut, pre-packaged fruits or vegetables wrapped in unnecessary plastic. In fact, she would have been shocked to see ten grapes enclosed in layers of plastic packaging. When it came to buying meat, she supported the local butcher instead of relying on imports from faraway places.

Food waste was never an option for her. She was incredibly resourceful and creative in the kitchen, using every bit of a vegetable when she cooked. She turned yoghurt tubs into flower pots, finding beauty in repurposing. She didn’t buy loads of cheap clothing every month but always looked well-dressed. She had a sewing machine, and I have fond memories of her sewing me pyjamas in just half an hour one night when my mom forgot to pack them. Her wardrobe was like a treasure chest, full of exciting surprises whenever she opened its heavy wooden doors.

Take a moment to think about your own family. Do you have an eccentric aunt or a wise grandfather whose old-fashioned ways are now eco-friendly trends? They may not be activists or have fancy titles, but their everyday choices contribute to the climate narrative. 

We invite you to share your environmental stories in any language you are comfortable with. Be hilarious, passionate, daring, sarcastic, or whatever your imagination wants. 

We would happily promote your website or links to your other works. So, if you like,  please send us a short bio and a photo when you submit your work

Love, Laughter, and Low Carbon: Write Your Climate Rom-Com Magic!

The most important thing you can do to fight climate change is talk about it ’ climate scientist Katharine Hayhoe says. That’s the most crucial thing that anyone can do to fight our changing climate. It doesn’t involve switching to solar energy or composting. (Although those are still incredibly helpful things to do.) You can do it anytime, anywhere. 

It has got nothing to do with how much we know about science or even how smart we are. When it comes to talking about the changing climate, it’s all about changing our conversation style. Instead of throwing data and facts at each other, we should start by finding common ground in our shared values. 

Why not have a chat with your friends, loved ones, and community about climate change? You’d be amazed at how much of a positive impact a single conversation can make. And then you can write down a story about it. It could be a fantasy, comedy, satire, drama, sci-fi or gritty realism. Climate change can totally be woven into any type of story or genre, no problem!

You’ve got some serious superpowers when it comes to making a big impact on climate change through what you write. Imagine if your characters, in their everyday lives, started doing climate-friendly stuff like eating green and getting around in eco-friendly ways. And guess what? These actions don’t have to be boring or dull. Let’s make them downright sexy! Let’s give our characters a whole new vibe when they chow down on a plant-rich diet (think Michelin Green Star restaurants, baby!), join protests, or rock some vintage upcycled threads. (And hey, if your story demands a fancy yacht, why not make it solar-powered? That’s how we roll!)

So, would you like to have your stories published on our website? You can submit your story here.

We would happily promote your website or links to your other works. So, if you like,  please send us a short bio and a photo when you submit your story.