Emma teaches Creative Writing at Ruskin College and previously wrote drama but now finds herself obsessively drawn to writing about climate change.

With apologies to the people of Tuvalu
(and thanks to June Jordan)


Lying in bed, listening to the radio.
‘a special report' the announcer says
‘Tuvalu,'  
‘Please help us, you have caused climate change'
But I am already asleep.


I awake, ashamed.
I remember the words, the accusation:
‘You have caused climate change'
And of course they are right
And like me, the whole world is sleeping.
Too tired to hear  the plight of 11,000 people ,
Too weary to learn about the King Tide,
The bubbling Coral Atolls, the salty gardens.

Dreaming undisturbed as their dreams are destroyed.


By Emma Howell