Returning to Nature: Humanity, Environment and Creative Writing

Our chapter explores the ethical, philosophical and creative tensions involved in writing about nature during the Anthropocene. Drawing from ecological theory, creative practice and environmental psychology, we consider the role of empathy in nature writing, exploring how and whether humans can meaningfully connect with non-human entities through literary expression. The chapter critiques the concept of “Dispositional Empathy with Nature” (DEN), highlighting its conceptual limitations and anthropocentric assumptions. We argue that while personification can serve as a literary bridge to the non-human, it risks obscuring the true nature of ecological others. However, given that anthropocentricity is to some extent inevitable, we propose a critical anthropocentrism—one that acknowledges human embeddedness in nature and repositions the human within ecological systems. Through examples from literature, the chapter shows how storytelling can cultivate awareness, even if it cannot directly prevent environmental decline. Ultimately, we advocate for creative writing as a space for ethical reflection, imaginative engagement with ecological others. While writers may lack direct power, their stories can generate empathy, reshape perception and contribute to a broader dialogue on human responsibility in the natural world.