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Future Hopes: Hopeful stories in a time of climate change
In this collection of compelling short stories, authors including M. G. Leonard, Neal Shusterman and Tola Okogwu offer hope for our planet in the face of climate change.
Skyscraper farms. Insects for dinner. Guerilla gardening. Nine authors pose ingenious and thought-provoking solutions to the climate crisis in this anthology of climate fiction. Rooted in real-world science and technology, the stories offer a roadmap for a future where our planet can thrive. From a rewilding project with unexpected consequences to a rebellion against augmented reality, these wide-ranging stories will leave the reader feeling a little less powerless in the fight to save planet Earth.
Skyscraper farms. Insects for dinner. Guerilla gardening. Nine authors pose ingenious and thought-provoking solutions to the climate crisis in this anthology of climate fiction. Rooted in real-world science and technology, the stories offer a roadmap for a future where our planet can thrive. From a rewilding project with unexpected consequences to a rebellion against augmented reality, these wide-ranging stories will leave the reader feeling a little less powerless in the fight to save planet Earth.
304 pages, Paperback
First published March 7, 2024
5 people are currently reading
58 people want to read
About the author
Wren James
20 books45 followersWren James is the award-winning British author of many Young Adult novels. Their books include Last Seen Online, Green Rising and The Quiet at the End of the World (previously published as Lauren James). The Loneliest Girl in the Universe is in development as a feature film with RK Films.
A story consultant on Netflix’s Heartstopper (Seasons 2 & 3) and a RLF Royal Fellow, Wren is also the founder of the Climate Fiction Writers League, creator of The Climate-Conscious Writers Handbook, and editor of Future Hopes: Hopeful stories in a time of climate change.
They have won the Sustainable Story Award and been shortlisted for the YA Book Prize, Carnegie Medal and STEAM Book Award. Their books have sold over 200,000 copies in eight languages.
They are on the Society of Authors’ Sustainability steering Committee and work as a consultant on climate storytelling for museums, production companies, major brands and publishers, with a focus on optimism and hope.
Wren’s writing has been described as ‘gripping romantic sci-fi’ by the Wall Street Journal and ‘a strange, witty, compulsively unpredictable read which blows most of its new YA-suspense brethren out of the water’ by Entertainment Weekly. Their upcoming title is The Victors (May 2026), a graphic novel illustrated by Beth Fuller.
Wren was born in 1992, and has a Masters degree from the University of Nottingham, where they studied Chemistry and Physics. They run a Queer Writers group in Coventry. Follow them on Instagram at @wrenjameswriter or find out more at wrenjames.co.uk.
A story consultant on Netflix’s Heartstopper (Seasons 2 & 3) and a RLF Royal Fellow, Wren is also the founder of the Climate Fiction Writers League, creator of The Climate-Conscious Writers Handbook, and editor of Future Hopes: Hopeful stories in a time of climate change.
They have won the Sustainable Story Award and been shortlisted for the YA Book Prize, Carnegie Medal and STEAM Book Award. Their books have sold over 200,000 copies in eight languages.
They are on the Society of Authors’ Sustainability steering Committee and work as a consultant on climate storytelling for museums, production companies, major brands and publishers, with a focus on optimism and hope.
Wren’s writing has been described as ‘gripping romantic sci-fi’ by the Wall Street Journal and ‘a strange, witty, compulsively unpredictable read which blows most of its new YA-suspense brethren out of the water’ by Entertainment Weekly. Their upcoming title is The Victors (May 2026), a graphic novel illustrated by Beth Fuller.
Wren was born in 1992, and has a Masters degree from the University of Nottingham, where they studied Chemistry and Physics. They run a Queer Writers group in Coventry. Follow them on Instagram at @wrenjameswriter or find out more at wrenjames.co.uk.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
February 19, 2024
So proud of this collection of stories! Each one includes an afterword by me with advice about climate activism. There are also discussion questions and resources for students.
March 9, 2024
Future Hopes is just what I ‘hoped’ it would be: a collection of stories which are very different but form a great cohesive whole. The stories highlight the opportunities at our finger tips to wrest back control of our lives, to focus on more essential aspects of living socially, to harness the power of technology, to rebuild communities and how, in turn, we can face up to our shared peril, with courage, innovation, determination and hope.
I actually rate all of the stories but my favourites (in no particular order) are Saving Olumide (Tọlá Okogwu), Eyeballs, Tentacles and Teeth (Oisín McGann) and Food of the Future (MG Leonard). Also, I really like the use of editor’s notes after each story to add context and reference real-life inspirations for the stories.
Cross-curricular, full of authentic and diverse representation and so timely. The lesson plans almost write themselves. I can see some of the stories working brilliantly with UKS2; others will connect really well with KS3. The indices at the end with key questions, a glossary of terms, recommended reads and linked resources makes this a phenomenal resource.
What follows are some notes/reactions to each individual story that I wrote as I read.
Eyeballs, Tentacles and Teeth.
Oisín McGann
A story that celebrates marine life and human innovation in equal measure. Callum’s dad is a marine biologist pioneering ways of replicating and weaponising the enzymes a certain bacteria use to break down plastic waste. Even on a small island, there is dissent about taking measures to preserve the environment and profiteering- a microcosm of the bigger challenges we face! The innovations in waste management are helping the ecosystems in the area thrive and attracting more (& more exotic) sea life to the waters including one rather large species!
Saving Olumide
Tọlá Okogwu
In this story, a social farming policy exists reminiscent of the ‘Dig for Britain’ campaign during WW2. Instead of out in the fields, food is grown here in a hydroponics plant on top of the building.
Olumide is a drooping hibiscus plant failing to thrive. As the story goes on, it becomes clear that there is more healing to do than that of plant. Omoyeni (Yens/Yeni) lives with her dad; her mum is in a coma after an accident. Yens wants to help her mum’s favourite plant-Olumide- back to ‘his’ former glory. Help comes from an unexpected place: the formidable Mrs Oludayo, who might even intimidate aphids into staying away from her plants! ‘Mrs O’ happens to have magic touch where plants are concerned and through their lessons, Omoyeni learns the benefits of age, experience & inter-generational relationships as well as a thing or two about looking after plants.
Float
Eli Brown
This one definitely gave me Black Mirror vibes! Monitors, features of the Augmented Reality (AR) systems in place, watch over the young people constantly. To be able to have unguarded fun, they have to hatch plans to evade their surveillance. In this world, AR is everywhere but Mohan and his friends crave simple pleasures.
The Lighthouse keeper’s Garden
Rebecca Lim
The consequences of climate change are just so far reaching and diverse. I had not thought about hollows specifically before: they take 100 years to form and wildfires have destroyed so many ancient forests that habitat loss is huge.
Flash floods, rising seawaters, wildfires- Australia some time after 2043 is experiencing them all. Again, here, hope is symbolised by a beautiful garden and comes in the form of a community, which activates in adversity.
Dump Devil
Neal & Brendan Shusterman
When their house burns down, Zak takes the rap and is sentenced to do time to work to offset the fire’s impact on the environment. The idea of punishing individuals for their toll on the environment is obviously controversial especially since corporations are massively worse polluters. But it’s an interesting premise. Reflecting correctional facilities in our day, Bellgrove Juvenile Retention Centre could be so much better if it wasn’t for the management/profiteering. The setbacks we face due to those in charge is quite the recurrent theme in this book.
The Invisible Girl and the Impossible Otter. By LR Lam
A story about the benefits of rewilding. At a National Trust property near me, they’ve introduced beavers and I was fascinated to hear about the impact they were having in the forest. In this story, otters are brought back to help balance up the ecosystem at the loch. Can they also help realign the friendship between Mags and Ainsley?
They Came Back
Louie Stowell
I was so happy to see a comic strip in this collection. A story about a rewilding ground and appreciating what we have.
The Drongo’s Call
Bijal Vachharajani
A lovely woman-centric story from Bijal Vachharanjani. Warning against bad farming practices: pesticides, monocultures and cash crops. Ara doesn’t know what to even call Lakshmiamma’s ground: is it a farm or a forest? It is so different from the Ara’s family’s farm and the other farms in the area in its abundance and diversity. Can the others bring biodiversity back to their land?
Food of the Future
MG Leonard
From the off, I love the lively tone of this story and then come the names: Borneo Brown; Mr Burke- the headteacher; Mrs Crumble, the dinner lady; Mrs Lemon! A very relatable, upbeat story with lots of information about sustainable food woven in seamlessly. Great stuff.
Thanks to Netgalley & Walker Books UK for a chance to read and review this work.
I actually rate all of the stories but my favourites (in no particular order) are Saving Olumide (Tọlá Okogwu), Eyeballs, Tentacles and Teeth (Oisín McGann) and Food of the Future (MG Leonard). Also, I really like the use of editor’s notes after each story to add context and reference real-life inspirations for the stories.
Cross-curricular, full of authentic and diverse representation and so timely. The lesson plans almost write themselves. I can see some of the stories working brilliantly with UKS2; others will connect really well with KS3. The indices at the end with key questions, a glossary of terms, recommended reads and linked resources makes this a phenomenal resource.
What follows are some notes/reactions to each individual story that I wrote as I read.
Eyeballs, Tentacles and Teeth.
Oisín McGann
A story that celebrates marine life and human innovation in equal measure. Callum’s dad is a marine biologist pioneering ways of replicating and weaponising the enzymes a certain bacteria use to break down plastic waste. Even on a small island, there is dissent about taking measures to preserve the environment and profiteering- a microcosm of the bigger challenges we face! The innovations in waste management are helping the ecosystems in the area thrive and attracting more (& more exotic) sea life to the waters including one rather large species!
Saving Olumide
Tọlá Okogwu
In this story, a social farming policy exists reminiscent of the ‘Dig for Britain’ campaign during WW2. Instead of out in the fields, food is grown here in a hydroponics plant on top of the building.
Olumide is a drooping hibiscus plant failing to thrive. As the story goes on, it becomes clear that there is more healing to do than that of plant. Omoyeni (Yens/Yeni) lives with her dad; her mum is in a coma after an accident. Yens wants to help her mum’s favourite plant-Olumide- back to ‘his’ former glory. Help comes from an unexpected place: the formidable Mrs Oludayo, who might even intimidate aphids into staying away from her plants! ‘Mrs O’ happens to have magic touch where plants are concerned and through their lessons, Omoyeni learns the benefits of age, experience & inter-generational relationships as well as a thing or two about looking after plants.
Float
Eli Brown
This one definitely gave me Black Mirror vibes! Monitors, features of the Augmented Reality (AR) systems in place, watch over the young people constantly. To be able to have unguarded fun, they have to hatch plans to evade their surveillance. In this world, AR is everywhere but Mohan and his friends crave simple pleasures.
The Lighthouse keeper’s Garden
Rebecca Lim
The consequences of climate change are just so far reaching and diverse. I had not thought about hollows specifically before: they take 100 years to form and wildfires have destroyed so many ancient forests that habitat loss is huge.
Flash floods, rising seawaters, wildfires- Australia some time after 2043 is experiencing them all. Again, here, hope is symbolised by a beautiful garden and comes in the form of a community, which activates in adversity.
Dump Devil
Neal & Brendan Shusterman
When their house burns down, Zak takes the rap and is sentenced to do time to work to offset the fire’s impact on the environment. The idea of punishing individuals for their toll on the environment is obviously controversial especially since corporations are massively worse polluters. But it’s an interesting premise. Reflecting correctional facilities in our day, Bellgrove Juvenile Retention Centre could be so much better if it wasn’t for the management/profiteering. The setbacks we face due to those in charge is quite the recurrent theme in this book.
The Invisible Girl and the Impossible Otter. By LR Lam
A story about the benefits of rewilding. At a National Trust property near me, they’ve introduced beavers and I was fascinated to hear about the impact they were having in the forest. In this story, otters are brought back to help balance up the ecosystem at the loch. Can they also help realign the friendship between Mags and Ainsley?
They Came Back
Louie Stowell
I was so happy to see a comic strip in this collection. A story about a rewilding ground and appreciating what we have.
The Drongo’s Call
Bijal Vachharajani
A lovely woman-centric story from Bijal Vachharanjani. Warning against bad farming practices: pesticides, monocultures and cash crops. Ara doesn’t know what to even call Lakshmiamma’s ground: is it a farm or a forest? It is so different from the Ara’s family’s farm and the other farms in the area in its abundance and diversity. Can the others bring biodiversity back to their land?
Food of the Future
MG Leonard
From the off, I love the lively tone of this story and then come the names: Borneo Brown; Mr Burke- the headteacher; Mrs Crumble, the dinner lady; Mrs Lemon! A very relatable, upbeat story with lots of information about sustainable food woven in seamlessly. Great stuff.
Thanks to Netgalley & Walker Books UK for a chance to read and review this work.
March 27, 2024
I pretty much enjoyed all of these stories though, to no ones surprise, my fave was the one by MG Leonard. I love her writing so much.
February 18, 2024
This book features a cover illustrated by one of my favourite illustrators -- David Litchfield and it is edited by one of my favourite authors -- Lauren James. To me, that means it is a must-read. When I read the contents page, I was pleasantly surprised by how some of my other favourite authors' works are included in this book.
It is a collection of short stories with an environmental message. Each story is followed by a note from the editor. That makes it so much more special and different from other collection of short stories.
I like the environmental message. The shorter length of each story also makes the book more accessible to younger audience.
It is a collection of short stories with an environmental message. Each story is followed by a note from the editor. That makes it so much more special and different from other collection of short stories.
I like the environmental message. The shorter length of each story also makes the book more accessible to younger audience.
April 27, 2024
Here we get nine pre-teen-friendly short stories with an ecological and scientific basis, all creating a 'what if' based on current science. But like a lot of climatology, thinking about the future, and scientific guesswork, the results can always tend to an uncertain place. The first piece here has the drama of a public meeting, and a rescue at an Iron Man-styled sea swim event, and critters out of place, but because the heart of it is a plastic-dissolving sludge that has made the island rich, there is no hard and fast good side and baddie. Yes, the sludge makes the island rich for the chance to eat the plastic from it and from elsewhere – but when the sludge-eaters bodge their own food chains, can anyone give them the green light? The lack of definitive answer makes for a better story, but in a volume supposedly giving us reassurance, the solution-free state is not the most helpful.
Perhaps unfortunately, I turned to Louie Stowell's piece next, because time/scheduling, and, well, she's Louie Stowell. But this offers the chance suggestion that the fairy folk might prefer the planet to be cooler and greener, and, er, that's about it. That was two from two not fully working for me. Slightly better was a child caught in a dilemma – the person most people in her neighbourhood find easy to dislike is an ace at the socialist hydroponics system they have, and our MC must collaborate with her to learn gardening for a much more personal reason. It shows us future food growth schemes while being as overt as you'd like about this being a more intimate story.
The next effort just did one into the bin – ze/zer pronouns indeed. And I'd have liked to see the otters myself, too, but pronoun mangling rubbish clouded that story completely, as always. Beyond that we're back to the socialism, of a kind, as guerilla gardeners are a thing in the Australian South. The story isolates a sad tale from that setting, when a lighthouse keeper loses his wife and lets the grounds go to seed. After that is a look at a carbon-minded future, where smart watches can judge each and every single, minute action or inaction, and determine the carbon good or detriment it does – handy for a kid who is in a remand centre for six months after a house-burning-down incident. But when we see the whole gamut of this tale's merits, and how really "it's about life finding a way" you realise all the virtues of such a taut, impactful drama.
We're left with a visit to Asia, and a coffee monoculture – where the pesticides have stopped working – is countered by one family organically growing the jungle that used to be there, and inviting along all the critters that used to be happily in said jungle. Subtle, it's not – but then neither is the closing piece, an advert for eating insects dressed up as a school competition, with all the lashings of classroom rivalry, slapstick mishap and old school beats the target audience's parents would all recognise. Heck, the contest prizes are even that old saw, tickets to an unlikely-sounding local cup final.
All told, this probably won't change too many minds about climate change – either towards doing more about it, or worrying less about it. It can be fine, dramatically taking us to near-futures with an eye to ecology. They can also be very poor indeed. Overall I could never pretend it was a complete waste of paper – but it did take me an inordinate amount of evenings to get through.
Perhaps unfortunately, I turned to Louie Stowell's piece next, because time/scheduling, and, well, she's Louie Stowell. But this offers the chance suggestion that the fairy folk might prefer the planet to be cooler and greener, and, er, that's about it. That was two from two not fully working for me. Slightly better was a child caught in a dilemma – the person most people in her neighbourhood find easy to dislike is an ace at the socialist hydroponics system they have, and our MC must collaborate with her to learn gardening for a much more personal reason. It shows us future food growth schemes while being as overt as you'd like about this being a more intimate story.
The next effort just did one into the bin – ze/zer pronouns indeed. And I'd have liked to see the otters myself, too, but pronoun mangling rubbish clouded that story completely, as always. Beyond that we're back to the socialism, of a kind, as guerilla gardeners are a thing in the Australian South. The story isolates a sad tale from that setting, when a lighthouse keeper loses his wife and lets the grounds go to seed. After that is a look at a carbon-minded future, where smart watches can judge each and every single, minute action or inaction, and determine the carbon good or detriment it does – handy for a kid who is in a remand centre for six months after a house-burning-down incident. But when we see the whole gamut of this tale's merits, and how really "it's about life finding a way" you realise all the virtues of such a taut, impactful drama.
We're left with a visit to Asia, and a coffee monoculture – where the pesticides have stopped working – is countered by one family organically growing the jungle that used to be there, and inviting along all the critters that used to be happily in said jungle. Subtle, it's not – but then neither is the closing piece, an advert for eating insects dressed up as a school competition, with all the lashings of classroom rivalry, slapstick mishap and old school beats the target audience's parents would all recognise. Heck, the contest prizes are even that old saw, tickets to an unlikely-sounding local cup final.
All told, this probably won't change too many minds about climate change – either towards doing more about it, or worrying less about it. It can be fine, dramatically taking us to near-futures with an eye to ecology. They can also be very poor indeed. Overall I could never pretend it was a complete waste of paper – but it did take me an inordinate amount of evenings to get through.
October 12, 2024
Not quite what I expected; an interesting collection of short fictional stories, many set in the future and concerning some interesting concepts about climate change. Some stories I thought were ridiculous, some excellent, some I couldn't even guess what the message behind it was meant to be. Each had an editor's note afterwards which also seemed a bit far fetched in somehow connecting the story to what we could be doing in our own lives. Not sure if I was meant to find this entertaining or informative, mostly just a bit confusing but overall an easy read.
June 1, 2024
sunshine and [redacted] rainbows
June 1, 2025
Interesting ideas and stories. Wouldn't describe some of the stories as "hopeful" but good food for thought.
July 11, 2025
What a mix of stories.
An ideal book if you want a taster of different authors, really like the added extras like ideas of how to be sustainable and books to follow on with.
An ideal book if you want a taster of different authors, really like the added extras like ideas of how to be sustainable and books to follow on with.
July 24, 2025
3.5/5 Stars
October 16, 2025
So proud of this collection of stories! Each one includes an afterword by me with advice about climate activism. There are also discussion questions and resources for students.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews