Five fiction books to inspire climate action

Climate stories that focus on solutions are more likely to inspire positive environmental action.

Denise Baden, Professor of Sustainable Practice, University of Southampton • conversation
March 6, 2024 • ~6 min

‘Jaws’ portrayed sharks as monsters 50 years ago, but it also inspired a generation of shark scientists

‘Jaws,’ published in 1974, terrified the public of sharks, but it also brought shark research into the scientific mainstream.

Gavin Naylor, Director of Florida Program for Shark Research, University of Florida • conversation
Jan. 31, 2024 • ~10 min

To better understand addiction, students in this course take a close look at liquor in literature

This course beckons students to examine how alcoholic beverages are portrayed in books by American authors.

Debra J. Rosenthal, Professor of English, John Carroll University • conversation
Oct. 26, 2023 • ~5 min

'Dracula Daily' reanimates the classic vampire novel for the age of memes and snark

A newsletter sends out chronological snippets from the 125-year-old novel ‘Dracula.’ Fans on the internet go wild.

Stanley Stepanic, Assistant Professor of Slavic Languages and Literatures, University of Virginia • conversation
May 20, 2022 • ~8 min

Medieval illustrated manuscripts reveal how upper-class women managed healthy households – overseeing everything from purging, leeching and cupping to picking the right wet nurse

This illustrated health manual dating back to the 13th century provides a glimpse of daily life in aristocratic households during the Middle Ages.

Jennifer Borland, Professor of Art History, Oklahoma State University • conversation
April 1, 2022 • ~7 min

How palm oil became the world's most hated, most used fat source

Palm oil is responsible for widespread deforestation and labor abuses, but it's also cheap and incredibly useful. That's why many advocates call for reforming the industry, not replacing it.

Jonathan E. Robins, Associate Professor of Global History, Michigan Technological University • conversation
June 24, 2021 • ~10 min

Five must-read novels on the environment and climate crisis

Eco-fiction to help you rethink your role in the climate crisis.

Ti-han Chang, Lecturer in Asia-Pacific Studies, University of Central Lancashire • conversation
July 9, 2020 • ~7 min

What 'Walden' can tell us about social distancing and focusing on life's essentials

'Walden,' published in 1854, is a manual for solitude with a purpose.

Robert M. Thorson, Professor of Geology, University of Connecticut • conversation
March 26, 2020 • ~8 min

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