In a significant win for literature that tackles the global climate emergency, celebrated Nigerian author Abi Daré has been crowned the winner of the very first Climate Fiction Prize. The award recognises her compelling proposal for a sequel to her bestselling debut, The Girl With The Louding Voice.
A New Chapter for Adunni
The new novel, tentatively titled The Girl Who Fought The Wind, will follow the continued journey of Adunni, the resilient protagonist who captured readers' hearts worldwide. This time, Adunni's story is set against the backdrop of a Lagos grappling with the harsh realities of climate change.
The prize, which includes a £12,000 grant and a publishing deal with independent publisher Canongate, is designed to support and spotlight fiction that engages with the climate crisis in a meaningful and accessible way. Daré's winning entry stood out for its powerful narrative that connects environmental issues directly to human stories of justice and inequality.
Bridging Climate Science and Human Stories
Daré expressed her honour at receiving the award, stating that her goal is to make the complex topic of climate change relatable. "Fiction has a unique power to bridge the gap between scientific data and human emotion," she explained. "By showing how environmental degradation affects individuals, families, and communities like Adunni's, we can foster a deeper, more urgent understanding of the crisis."
The judging panel praised Daré's proposal for its emotional depth, compelling characters, and its sharp focus on climate justice – highlighting how the poorest communities, who contribute least to the problem, often bear the heaviest burden.
A Growing Literary Movement
The establishment of the Climate Fiction Prize signals a growing recognition of 'cli-fi' as a vital literary genre. It aims to encourage more authors to weave environmental themes into their work, moving the conversation beyond policy reports and into the realm of public imagination.
With this award, Abi Daré is poised to deliver a poignant and powerful novel that promises not only to captivate readers but also to inspire crucial conversations about our planet's future. The literary world eagerly awaits Adunni's next chapter.
