Goldilocks Planet: 7 Poems on Ecological Disaster

David Shaddock

These poems, all sonnets, are from a forthcoming book entitled "Tehachapi Pass." Let's call this selection "Goldilocks Planet." My poems have appeared in Mother Jones, Tikkun and Earth First! Journal.

The Miracle of Snowfall in Iran

Amir Hossein Jalali Nadoushan

The snowfall in Tehran، last February 2024 brought about a series of significant events and emotions that resonated with the people long after the snow had melted. It was a rare occurrence that hadn't been witnessed in the last ten years, making it even more special.

Wake-Up Call

Semih Muk

Growing up in Turkey, I lived in a big city where city life and nature blended smoothly. But when I visited my hometown last time, a suburban-like town, things seemed different.

Wildfires Impact the Entire Planet

Anonymous

Last summer in 2023, my boyfriend and I saw firsthand how the Canadian wildfires could be seen and felt in New York City. We could view the haze (smoke from the fire) all around us and we were surprised that we could actually smell the fire outside and we couldn’t escape the smell.

Loss of Place

Sofia Packer

Both natural disasters and more gradual aspects of climate change have had visible effects on the community where I grew up.

Chasing Nature's Trails in City Life

Iman

By the time I turned 13, I had attended six different schools, moving incessantly due to my father's transferable job. The constant relocation exposed me to both the tranquility of a small town and the hustle of a concrete jungle.

Adapting to Korea's Evolving Environment

Seonhyoung

Growing up in South Korea, my childhood was a tapestry woven with the colors of diverse seasons and vibrant outdoor activities.

The Woods that Saved My Confused Adolescent Self

Susan Bodnar

As a young child I used to walk through the woods that surrounded the condos where I moved to when I was thirteen. There was so much change and uncertainty. I found tremendous comfort hiking through these woods.

The Importance of Trees

Ayanna Perez

When you grow up in the same neighborhood, same apartment building, for your entire life, you tend to know the features of your surroundings almost like the back of your hand. I knew the trees that framed the entrance to my building very well.

Blue Skies, Yellow Dust

June Chang

After college, I moved back to Korea, where I was born. My family had never expected me to return to Seoul, which is where I ended up living for over a decade shortly after graduating from Columbia University in New York City.

Oregon's Changing Fire Season

Amber Ray

The following story describes my observations of how the fire season in Oregon has worsened over the last 20 years, and how that has affected members of my family.

Tear of the Mountain

Bob Chang

I would like to share my mom's climate story, a tale she has often recounted, hoping more people hear it.

Nature Stories

Urban, Wilderness, and Everything In Between

Goldilocks Planet: 7 Poems on Ecological Disaster

David Shaddock

These poems, all sonnets, are from a forthcoming book entitled "Tehachapi Pass." Let's call this selection "Goldilocks Planet." My poems have appeared in Mother Jones, Tikkun and Earth First! Journal.

The Miracle of Snowfall in Iran

Amir Hossein Jalali Nadoushan

The snowfall in Tehran، last February 2024 brought about a series of significant events and emotions that resonated with the people long after the snow had melted. It was a rare occurrence that hadn't been witnessed in the last ten years, making it even more special.

Wake-Up Call

Semih Muk

Growing up in Turkey, I lived in a big city where city life and nature blended smoothly. But when I visited my hometown last time, a suburban-like town, things seemed different.

Wildfires Impact the Entire Planet

Anonymous

Last summer in 2023, my boyfriend and I saw firsthand how the Canadian wildfires could be seen and felt in New York City. We could view the haze (smoke from the fire) all around us and we were surprised that we could actually smell the fire outside and we couldn’t escape the smell.

Loss of Place

Sofia Packer

Both natural disasters and more gradual aspects of climate change have had visible effects on the community where I grew up.

Chasing Nature's Trails in City Life

Iman

By the time I turned 13, I had attended six different schools, moving incessantly due to my father's transferable job. The constant relocation exposed me to both the tranquility of a small town and the hustle of a concrete jungle.

Adapting to Korea's Evolving Environment

Seonhyoung

Growing up in South Korea, my childhood was a tapestry woven with the colors of diverse seasons and vibrant outdoor activities.

The Woods that Saved My Confused Adolescent Self

Susan Bodnar

As a young child I used to walk through the woods that surrounded the condos where I moved to when I was thirteen. There was so much change and uncertainty. I found tremendous comfort hiking through these woods.

The Importance of Trees

Ayanna Perez

When you grow up in the same neighborhood, same apartment building, for your entire life, you tend to know the features of your surroundings almost like the back of your hand. I knew the trees that framed the entrance to my building very well.

Blue Skies, Yellow Dust

June Chang

After college, I moved back to Korea, where I was born. My family had never expected me to return to Seoul, which is where I ended up living for over a decade shortly after graduating from Columbia University in New York City.

Oregon's Changing Fire Season

Amber Ray

The following story describes my observations of how the fire season in Oregon has worsened over the last 20 years, and how that has affected members of my family.

Tear of the Mountain

Bob Chang

I would like to share my mom's climate story, a tale she has often recounted, hoping more people hear it.