What if the secret to human survival is learning to listen to trees?
In short: In an era of global environmental crisis, novelist Elif Shafak suggests we are missing a vital perspective. By looking beyond our own species, we might find a way to dismantle divisive thinking and reconnect with the shared past and future of all life.
At a 202-6 keynote lecture for the Atlantic Fellows for Social and Economic Equity (AFSEE), British-Turkish author Elif Shafak explored how storytelling can transcend the rigid boundaries of identity and the divisive 'us vs them' mentality. Shafak posits that trees possess a unique experience of time, stillness, and impermanence—a perspective that holds the keys to understanding both the history and the destiny of humanity. Her lecture, delivered in March 2026, served as the fifth annual keynote for the AFSEE programme. This initiative has been working alongside the Hawkwood Centre for Future Thinking since 2025 to advance creative communication strategies.
This connection between nature and narrative is central to her work. In her novel, *The Island of Missing Trees*, Shafak uses characters to navigate the complexities of empathy and justice. Through the artist Daphne, who believes poets and artists must use their crafts to confront suffering and inequality, Shafak highlights the responsibility of the creator. Yet, she also introduces characters like Costas, a gentle soul whose care extends beyond humans to include birds, insects, and plants. Shafak notes that her writing process involves a journey of empathy that allows her to connect with even the less likable characters in her stories. By placing characters like Daphne and Costas side by side, she aims to present a more complete narrative picture.
The tension between human struggle and environmental concern is a profound one. Shafak acknowledges the difficulty of discussing the plight of nature during periods of war and human violence, noting that such topics can often seem like a luxury when lives are being lost. However, her work suggests that true pluralism requires us to move beyond atomized spaces and recognize that the stories of the planet and its people are inextricably linked. The discussion, which included AFSEE Fellow Lily Jamaludin and Executive Director Professor Armine Ishkanian, emphasized the role of storytelling in communicating the global impact of inequality.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: If trees could speak | Elif Shafak
- Also: How storytelling can transcend “us vs them” thinking – Elif Shafak
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