Climate, Culture and Consciousness: Modern Literature as a Response to SDGs

Abstract The escalating global climate crisis has prompted scholars across disciplines to revisit literature as a vital cultural site for ecological reflection and activism. This paper explores how modern literature responds to and engages with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 15 (Life on Land), and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions). Through an eco-critical lens, the study examines selected works such as Richard Powers’ The Overstory, Amitav Ghosh’s The Great Derangement and Gun Island, and Barbara Kingsolver’s Flight Behavior to demonstrate how narratives articulate human–nature interconnections, climate anxieties, and the cultural consciousness necessary for sustainable futures. These texts not only dramatize the consequences of ecological exploitation but also cultivate environmental awareness, empathy for nonhuman life, and a re-imagining of humanity’s ethical responsibilities toward the planet. By linking narrative strategies with global sustainability frameworks, the paper argues that modern literature functions as both cultural witness and activist tool, bridging science and humanities in shaping environmental consciousness. Ultimately, the discussion highlights literature’s capacity to contribute to the global SDG agenda by fostering ecological imagination, inspiring civic engagement, and promoting a multidisciplinary response to climate challenges.