REPRESENTING THE ANTHROPOCENE THROUGH CLIMATE FICTION (CLI-FI): ANALYZING ENVIRONMENTAL CRISES AND RESILIENCE IN MINISTRY FOR THE FUTURE BY KIM STANLEY ROBINSON

Abstract

This research examines the representation of the Anthropocene in Kim Stanley Robinson’s Ministry for the Future, a seminal work of climate fiction (cli-fi) that addresses the ethical, ecological, and socio-political challenges posed by climate change. The study explores how the novel portrays environmental crises, resilience, and collective action as humanity grapples with the consequences of anthropogenic climate disruption. Using a qualitative methodology rooted in thematic analysis, the research identifies key motifs such as ecological degradation, human-nature relationships, and the transformative potential of global cooperation. Employing Eco-criticism as its theoretical framework, the analysis delves into how the novel critiques anthropocentric worldviews, capitalist systems, and political inertia while envisioning pragmatic solutions like geoengineering and policy reform. The study underscores the novel’s role in highlighting the urgency of addressing the Anthropocene and fostering a deeper understanding of resilience and adaptation in the face of environmental collapse. This research contributes to the growing discourse on cli-fi as a medium for engaging with the moral and existential dilemmas of the climate crisis, positioning Ministry for the Future as a pivotal text in imagining pathways toward a sustainable future.