Cities of Literature and Planet Earth – The Heat is On
On World Environment Day, 5 June 2022, Dunedin UNESCO City of Literature released The Heat is On: Young Writers on the Climate Crisis. This free digital anthology of creative writing about the climate crisis facing our planet showcases writers under 20 years of age from across the Cities of Literature Network. Their thought-provoking submissions are published in the primary language and in English, and these extraordinary words and images are inspirational. Library members will enjoy the messages contained within.
In September 2015, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development that included tackling the world-wide emergency that is climate change. As the impacts of the climate crisis intensify with each passing year, more and more young people around the globe are joining the movement for positive change. By leading the discussion around climate change, they are also spreading awareness and motivating others to demand action for a clean and healthy planet.
An original waiata ‘Huia te aroha’, performed against the coastal backdrop of Ōtākou Marae, welcomes readers and provides a powerful start to the other pearls of wisdom to follow. Beautifully produced and enhanced by original artworks, collage and photography, The Heat is On was published on World Environment Day for every age group to enjoy. 15 UNESCO Cities of Literature around the globe have collaborated with a common purpose to create this special volume.