Climate change: Abi Daré wins inaugural Climate Fiction Prize

Nigerian-British author Abi Daré has claimed the first-ever Climate Fiction Prize for her novel And So I Roar, a sequel to her acclaimed debut The Girl with the Louding Voice. The £10,000 award recognizes powerful storytelling that confronts the climate crisis through human experiences.

Set in rural Nigeria, Dare’s novel explores how environmental collapse disproportionately affects women and girls, blending tragedy with resilience.

Judging chair Madeleine Bunting praised its “energy and passion,” calling it both harrowing and hopeful.

The Climate Prize seeks fiction that inspires action by making climate change urgent and relatable. “Audiences need to see an uncertain future and believe change is possible,” organizers stated.

Daré’s win highlights marginalized voices in global climate discourse. “We don’t need permission to join these conversations,” she said.

The shortlist included Booker winner Orbital by Samantha Harvey and The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley. The University of Wolverhampton, where Daré studied law, celebrated her achievement as a triumph for diverse storytelling.

Daré will speak at the university’s Authentic Allyship conference on June 12, further amplifying her impact. Her victory underscores fiction’s role in shaping climate awareness—one compelling story at a time.