The Siskiyou Analysis

Even though climate change is intimidating, people should still participate in activism. Take the character Tyrone Tierwater, from the short story "The Siskiyou, July 1989", for example. Tyrone was terrified, but he still took the initiative to get involved and protest. Although the protest was seemingly unsuccessful, it still made an impact. After the protest is over Tyrone refers to it as “... a joke, a big joke, the whole thing” (Boyle 33). He felt as though the whole thing as a waste of time. However, even the smallest of efforts can make a lasting impact. Although the protest did not reach very many people, it still had an impact upon those that it did reach. If society ever wants to repair the damage done to the earth, people must get involved, voice concerns, and patiently allow solutions to take their course. Just like how it took decades for the earth’s climate to …show more content…
This stress triggers our fight or flight response and far too often we choose to flee. We employ coping mechanisms such as denial to help ease the anxiety associated with climate change. We are being selfish by putting our own comfort above all else. To not have to think about the atrocious things we have done to the ecosystem we deny climate change entirely. What people don’t realize though is that living in denial is only more harmful to the environment. We need to stand up, fight, and make a change. The climate fiction genre reminds us of how detrimental denial is and that activism is the way to go. Just like in many of the texts mentioned above, any ordinary person can overcome their fear and focus on trying to remedy our foolhardy mistakes. If society ever wants to repair the damage done to the earth, people should get involved and become activists. We, as a society need to open our eyes to the truth. Climate fiction inspires readers to do so and make a change in the way society treats our