Could this literary genre help protect the planet? With author Helen Phillips

Could this literary genre help protect the planet? With author Helen Phillips

From Climate Curious by TEDxLondon

June 5, 2026 · 34 min

About this episode

Helen Phillips discusses the role of speculative fiction in addressing climate issues.

Speculative fiction – the latest tool for imagining what’s possible on climate? Author of ‘Hum’ and winner of the 2026 Climate Fiction Prize, Helen Phillips, joins Climate Curious to share the personal trigger that got her started in writing climate fiction, breaks down the genre of ‘speculative fiction’ and how it can be used to process eco-distress, and why the AI robots at the centre of the book (The Hums) might not be the villains you’d expect… who would have thought it!? Hosted by Climate Curious’ executive producer Josie Colter. Read Helen Phillips’ book, ‘Hum’: https://www.helencphillips.com/hum   Want more climate fiction novels? Check out the Climate Fiction Prize Shortlist 2026: https://climatefictionprize.co.uk/shortlist-2026/ 'Dusk', By Robbie Arnott 'Endling', By Maria Reva 'The Tiger's Share', By Keshava Guha 'The Book of Records', By Madeleine Thien 'Awake in the Floating City', By Susanna Kwan Join the Climate Curious conversation on socials: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/climatecuriouspod/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@climatecuriouspod YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtF6xzNkVIczlDmVcH8FCMA LinkedIn…

People in this episode

Host: Josie Colter

Guest: Helen Phillips

Topics covered

  • climate fiction
  • speculative fiction
  • eco-distress
  • literary genre
  • environmental storytelling

Keywords

  • climate fiction
  • speculative fiction
  • eco-distress
  • Helen Phillips
  • literature

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Climate Fiction Prize, TEDxLondon

Books & works: Hum

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