From Eco-Emotions to Eco-Hope: Exploring Climate-Change Emotions in Suzume no Tojimari

Climate change is the most indisputable factor in the twenty-first century.Climate change's effects are not just limited to scientific discoveries and political policies.It has also gained significant depth through cultural, philosophical, and literary aspects.In this era of ecological vulnerability, the study of climate change and its effects on mental health has become an important area of research.The acceleration of the ecological crisis extended its impacts beyond environmental degradation to profound psychological consequences, which resulted in the rise of the term eco-emotions.These emotions range from anxiety, fear, guilt, shame, despair, etc., which are collectively referred to as psychoterratic syndromes.In this article, the eco-anxiety and eco-grief are analyzed in the contemporary Japanese novel Suzume no Tojimari.Through the journey of the protagonist Suzume, the narrative captures the sorrow over the loss of landscapes and homes due to ecological disasters, symbolizing the broader impact of the environmental crises.The novel portrays the characters' deep connection to nature and the ensuing grief as ecosystems face irreversible damage.Additionally, the narrative explores anxiety stemming from the uncertainty about the future and the responsibilities of the characters to take action to protect their home and environment.The study emphasizes the role of literature in fostering eco-hope, providing a framework for resilience, emotional healing, and a reimagined human-nature relationship.