Renowned climate novels, such as Spellcasters and The Butterfly Effect, as well as collections of short stories like Hotel Calcutta, edited speculative fiction and solarpunk collections, stories for climate video games, and translations, are all works by Rajat Chaudhuri. When the owls sing to the stars, he writes down the stories he dreams up while taking aimless walks in Calcutta.

The Kolkata Mail correspondent Priyanka Dutta caught up with the author in an exclusive chat about his new book, Wonder Tales For A Warming Planet. Excerpts..

How important is it for the young generation to know about climate change?

Rajat Chaudhuri – This is the generation that will bear the worst effects of climate change if concerted action is not taken soon. Think of skyrocketing food prices because of reduced agricultural productivity, increasing heat deaths in hot and humid cities like Kolkata and Mumbai, floods and droughts, unmanageable internal and external migrations, and, in all probability, conflicts and wars triggered by scarcities. The young generation is the biggest ‘stakeholders’ here, and whether we win or lose this battle with the climate crisis largely depends on their engagement with the issue and their future leadership. Wonder Tales for a Warming Planet is a small effort to address them through stories.

What aspects of climate change have you covered in the book?

Rajat Chaudhuri-Wonder Tales for a Warming Planet weaves in climate change and environmental themes in magical and fun stories of adventure, humour, and fantasy. Without being didactic, the stories in this book deal with both problems and solutions, covering the energy crisis, emissions, the quest for renewables, deforestation, unsustainable production and consumption, solar geoengineering, rewilding, and the possibilities of sustainable solarpunk futures. 

Have you provided tips to the young children on how they can do their bit for preserving the environment?

Rajat Chaudhuri- The stories in the book, helped with Isha Nagar’s stunning illustrations, nudge the readers towards solutions while also pointing out the pitfalls. Just by reading about the adventures of the young and lonely Tina who lives on the sinking island of Malegnea, or about Gogol the school boy who makes friends with spirits of the forest soon to be cleared for fancy homes, the fairy Anu who can light up whole cities, or the colossal creature living in a dried up sea bed of the distant future, the young readers will get an idea of the bigger picture and the role they can play. The book also has learning notes after each story and a bunch of fun classroom activities, which will help children understand how they can help in protecting the environment. I also do programmes with schools and libraries where I use storytelling to get children involved with climate change and allied issues.

How difficult is it to write for young kids these days?

Rajat Chaudhuri- People say it is extremely difficult, but I have found it fun, perhaps the most enjoyable form of writing I can think of.  Young readers are very smart and they won’t take bullshit, which is something one has to remember though. The trick is to think like young people, and that is easy if you are as childlike as I am.

Of course, as writers, you are now competing with Netflix, Instagram, and all that, but we know movies or Reels cannot unlock the imagination the way the written word does for the reader. This is something teachers and parents need to remember. I believe good stories will never go out of fashion. 

What will be your next book about?

Rajat Chaudhuri- The next book is a nonfiction work about climate change, where I am trying to consolidate my thoughts and experience. I will return to writing for children after this.