The Prompt
Write a piece of effective climate writing.
In your work, consider the following:
What makes climate writing effective? What does “effective” mean to you?
What causes readers to be a) more aware and b) take some kind of action for impact?
What characteristics make for writing that succeeds at these goals?
Be clear: you are submitting an example of effective climate writing, not conceptual answers to these questions. Show us your answers in practice.
Submissions are welcome in FICTION and NONFICTION. You may submit one entry per category. Your writing may take, but is not limited to, any of the following forms: essay, journalism, poetry, short story, personal narrative, advocacy letter, op ed.
Any climate information in your story should be grounded in cited research. This is primarily a writing contest; you will be judged on the excellence of your work.
See below for requirements, prizes, and examples.
In collaboration with the Office for Sustainability (OFS) and the Harvard University Employees Credit Union (HUECU).
Requirements
Due by 11:59pm on Earth Day: Saturday, April 22 2023. No exceptions.
Entry limited to current Harvard students (graduate and undergraduate inclusive) AND off-cycle students who graduated in December 2023.
Cannot exceed 1250 words.
Must be your own original work. Plagiarism will result in disqualification.
Previously published work will not be accepted. “Published” means shared publicly, via outlets such as media, journals, or other writing contests. You can, however, submit unpublished coursework.
Submissions are welcome in FICTION and NONFICTION. Entrants can submit one entry to each category (maximum 2 total entries per individual).
To submit, mail a PDF of your work to writingfortheclimate@gmail.com.
Do not include your name anywhere in your work. Adhere to the following file naming convention:
Fiction: F_Title_HUID
Nonfiction: NF_Title_HUID
For example, a fiction entry titled “Nitrogen” by a student with the HUID 71346782 should be called F_Nitrogen_71346782.pdf.
Prizes
Prizes, awarded in both FICTION and NONFICTION, are as follows:
1st prize: $500
2nd prize: $250
3rd prize: $100
Honorable mentions will be awarded at the judges' discretion
All prizewinners will also be awarded anthologies of the entries alongside accompanying gifts.
Examples
Below are some pieces this contest's founder considers strong climate writing. If you are seeking direction, you might use them as a starting point. But these by no means define "effective climate writing." We welcome innovation. Make your work your own.
"The Curse of Akkad," Elizabeth Kolbert
"Fishering," Brian Doyle
"The Fracking of Rachel Carson," Sandra Steingraber
"Deep Intellect," Sy Montogomery
A Sand County Almanac, Aldo Leopold
The Global Warming Reader, Bill McKibben
Refuge, Terry Tempest Williams
The Sixth Extinction, Elizabeth Kolbert
The Overstory, Richard Powers
