When did the issue of climate change get personal for you? 

Blessing: Well,  aside from writing, I also engage in farm work, so the issue of climate change got quite personal for me ever since I noticed the time variance in the blooming of my crops and flowers. There is increased temperature, drought, erosions, desertification and decline in rainfall in the continental areas. 

There is a strong presence of nostalgia in your story. Could this sense of nostalgia be of loss or hope? 

Blessing: Sadly the sense of nostalgia in my story is that of loss and a yearning colored with deeper tones of hopelessness or despair.

What inspired your story for The Green We Left Behind nonfiction anthology? 

Blessing: My inspiration came from a lot of factors. First, I noticed the increased temperature trends described as global warming, extreme weather events and changes in how plants grow. 

As an artist, how are you able to merge beauty in language with such a dire theme on climate change? 

Blessing: The alarming nature of climate change cannot be readily and faithfully portrayed by words alone. The theme of climate change is very important so I tried to use the language that would best portray what climate change means to me whether they are pretty,  bright or  sinister. 

As you release your story to the world, what is your wish or hope for the story?

Blessing: Climate Crisis is an issue that should be addressed urgently, yet it does not  always garner the same attention as other topics like the Covid-19 and the economy, so I sincerely wish that my story contributes to creating an awareness on how serious the issue of climate is. 

Aside from writing, how else do you intend to contribute towards curbing climate change?

Blessing: I will voice out my concerns via social media and other platforms available. Also, I intend to  participate more actively in a global movement as a way to be a part of those that help keep the political pressure up.

Biography

Chukwu Blessing Chioma is a 300 level medical laboratory student of Ebonyi State University Nigeria. She is a native of Ishielu LGA, Ebonyi State. Aside from studying to be a certified laboratory scientist, she is an upcoming writer and a singer.