In brief
The UN climate summit in Baku, Azerbaijan—a country rich in fossil fuels—serves as a backdrop for reflections on climate change, illustrated in Lydia Kiesling’s novel "Mobility," which explores themes of energy and environmental impact amidst political discourse.
In a striking turn of events, this year's United Nations climate change summit unfolds in Baku, Azerbaijan, a nation deeply entwined with the roots of the modern oil industry. The irony is palpable, especially given the recent electoral outcome in the United States that saw Donald J. Trump return to power on a platform promising to elevate fossil fuel production while opting out of the global climate agreements central to the summit's mission.Amidst this contradictory landscape, Lydia Kiesling's 2023 novel "Mobility" emerges as an evocative lens. The narrative centers around Bunny Glenn, a character navigating the complexities of Baku from her youth as the daughter of a State Department official during the post-Soviet oil boom, to a role as a communications strategist for BP during the Trump administration. Bunny’s story deftly intertwines the absurdities of climate change with her personal journey, highlighting the dissonance present in today’s global environmental discussions.In a recent interview, Kiesling reflected on the significance of Baku as a chosen setting for her project. "My father served in the Foreign Service, and we were stationed in Yerevan, Armenia, in the late '90s," she explained. Her experiences during that time illuminated the stark contrasts between regions based on their resource wealth and geopolitical importance—Armenia, grappling with poverty and emigration, versus Baku, drawing an influx of foreign interest driven by vast oil and gas reserves.This juxtaposition within the narrative not only captures the rich tapestry of Baku's historical moment but also highlights the ongoing struggle of balancing progress with environmental stewardship—an issue that resonates even louder as nations gather to tackle climate change. In placing Bunny at the center of a decidedly absurd reality, Kiesling spells out the broader implications of environmental neglect against the backdrop of corporate interests and political endeavors, emphasizing the importance of storytelling in understanding our current climate dilemmas.As the world convenes for climate talks in a city defined by its reliance on fossil fuels, it forces all to reassess their commitments and the narratives that shape them. Lysing’s "Mobility" serves as a reminder of the complexity at play within climate actions and their often ludicrous ties to economic dependencies.
