Concerned with the way the media reports on climate change, Canberra author Cate Whittle thought all the negativity may leave young people feeling stuck and without a future. She wrote her newest youth novel, Starberries and Kee, to inspire hope that while there may be change happening, we can respond to it in a positive way.

“We can do this, we can turn it around, or we can at least adapt and live in a more sustainable, comfortable and less negative way,” Whittle says.

In the not-too-distant future, communities have grown tired of waiting for action from governments and big companies, instead they have decided to be the change. Small community sects have come together to find ways of living that support each other and the Earth.

“They live sustainably, they’re using solar and wind power, and they’re using their environment in a more friendly way rather than exploiting it,” she says.

Two children collide, one from what is left of the cities and one from up in the mountains. They have different approaches to life; one comes from a community, the other from isolation, but both find themselves being sent away after ageing grandparents could no longer care for them. Neither of them happy with their circumstances, they set out on an adventure together.

Exploring the genre of solarpunk, the author says isn’t asking children to take up arms and storm government offices, rather to think of approaching things differently. Predominantly a fantasy writer, Whittle fell in love with Narnia years ago. 

“I’m still looking for the wardrobe door, I think there’s an element of escapism, I always want to be somewhere where things might be better. I think perhaps that’s driven the story, too,” Whittle says.

In the world she has created, each child has their own role and responsibility based on their interests, some help in the garden while others learn about the latest wind power technology. Whittle says teenagers are starting to step up and make their own things happen and she wanted to provide the group with something they can envisage, something they can achieve.

“It’s not just in the hands of government or big business; everyday people need to take action. Small steps can lead to bigger ones. If we start stressing about it we will get nowhere, we’ve just got to do something,” she says.

Not wanting to preach at readers, Whittle says the story is essentially an adventure, something to be read for the joy of reading. She wants readers to put the book down and feel hope and a break from the looming sense of doom that seems to be ever-present.

Published alongside the book will be a selection of teacher’s notes, with suggestions on how to approach the novel. Whittle says that children would be capable of reading the light-hearted adventure into the future themselves but it’s a great one to share with the family.

“It’s a good thing where families can read a book together because it gives that opening for conversations where they, as a family, can decide together what they can do. It is much easier when everybody’s on the same page,” she says.

Starberries and Kee isn’t a how-to guide for climate change, rather, the author tries to make passing comments on how society can move towards a sustainable future. A central pool of clothes sees garments recycled and jars are kept and reused.

Whittle herself tries to live sustainably on her property by growing food, making the move to solar power, and, surrounded by trees, they try to manage the land in a carbon-positive way.  

“It’s not ideal. It’s not 100 per cent, there’s a lot more I know that we could do. I think the main thing is that people start moving in that direction,” she smiles.

Starberries and Kee by Cate Whittle is out 1 May at The Book Cow in Kingston and major online retailers; catewhittlewrites.com

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