To mark World Environment Day, Dunedin UNESCO City of Literature released  The Heat is On: Young Writers on the Climate Crisis, a free digital anthology of creative writing about the climate crisis facing our plane  showcases writers under 20 years of age from across the Cities of Literature Network. 

 

Led by Dunedin City of Literature, 15 Cities of Literature around the globe have joined together to create this special anthology, beautifully produced and enhanced by original artworks, collage and photography.

 

We are thriled to celebrate and share this special volume showcasing our brilliant young writers’ voices.

 

The Heat is On : Young Writers on the Climate Crisis

 

There thougt-provoking submissions are published in the primary languages and in English,

and these extraordinary words and images wil stay with you always.

 

In September 2015, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable 

Development that included tackling the worldwide 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.

 

Kicking off the anthology is a foreword by Vicki Soanes, Secretary General, New Zealand National 

Commission for UNESCO in which she highlights both the values of the organisation and how this 

body of writing supports these goals. 

Mayor of Dunedin Aaron Hawkins writes a stirring introduction in which he shares his pride in 

Dunedin and our City of Literature status while raising his concerns for future generations 

as a parent of a young child. 

An original waiata ‘Huia te aroha’, performed against the coastal backdrop of Otakou Marae, 

welcomes readers and provides a powerful start to the otherpearls of wisdom to follow.