September 29, 2025
A few weekends ago, I spoke at Literary Cleveland’s Inkubator Conference, one of the largest free writing conferences in the country. I was there to talk about climate fiction, a passion of mine, and one that I believe strongly has the power to change hearts and minds, to help people not only understand the climate crisis is real but to heed the urgent call for environmental action.
We live at a time when many of us feel helpless, like our work—even if it is in service of justice—is not enough, is not making a dent. But just as reading a fictional story may move someone who is not interested in following traditional news, a changed mindset is the first step toward real change.
In this issue of Justice This Week, we’re examining how words make a difference, from taking the idea of “resilience” beyond a buzzword, to expanding the scope of belonging, to how language be used to either embrace or erase people. All our work matters, even the work of choosing our words carefully and thoughtfully in this moment.
We must speak up, then act up.
Dr. Alison Stine
Climate Justice, Senior Editor
