Climate Change Vulnerabilities: Eco-Anxiety and Ethics of Posterity in Alan Gratz’s Two Degrees

Abstract

Climate change presents vulnerabilities, epitomized by extreme weather phenomena and enduring environmental transformations that imperil welfare of human existence in the Anthropocene. In his novel Two Degrees (2022), Alan Gratz engages with this existential issue following the trajectories of three youthful protagonists: Akira, Owen, and Natalie. In the backdrop of wildfires in California, polar bear encounters in the Canadian tundra, and a cataclysmic hurricane in Miami, the novel adeptly illustrates the imminent and perilous threats of eco-disasters caused by a rapidly changing environment. The interwoven narratives of Akira, Owen, and Natalie subsequently reveal the imperative for collective action and strategic foresight to avert escalating climate catastrophes and protect succeeding generations from the plight of climate-induced displacement. This contextualizes Two Degrees within the ethical purview of posterity and accentuates the moral obligation to shield future generations from catastrophes. This study examines the portrayal of climate change and its psychological repercussions, specifically focusing on the eco-anxiety experienced by the protagonists. Additionally, it explores how these characters embody the ethical responsibility incumbent upon contemporary generations to confront climate change and safeguard the welfare of posterity. Using the theory of econarratology of Arran Stibbe, this study presents Two Degrees not merely as a riveting narrative but as a clarion call to action, beckoning readers to engage in environmental advocacy and contribute substantively to ameliorating climate change.