Writing beyond environmental disaster
Sarah Jackson has been an ecologist since graduating from Oxford Brookes with an MSc in Conservation Ecology in 2009. She has recently written her first novel, Not Alone, which channels her concern for the environment into the story of a mother’s love for her child. Sarah sat down with Observe to chat about her book, her work as an ecologist and her hopes for the future.
Observe: How would you describe Not Alone?
Sarah: It is a journey novel set in a post-apocalyptic world. The main character, Katie, is trying to take her son to a place where he will be safe – and also where he will be loved.
Ob: What inspired you to write it?
SJ: One of the first books that really moved me, as a teenager, was a post-apocalyptic novel called Earth Abides by George R Stewart. It really stuck with me. And after years of working in ecology, and seeing the state of things now, environmental issues are something I really care about. Also, at one point in my life I experienced a lot of grief and loss. You can see post-apocalyptic and dystopian worlds as a metaphor for those feelings.
So, these things all came together and I poured them into my story.
Ob: Why did you focus on a mother and child relationship?
SJ: Katie is really focused on making sure her child survives. Being a mother gives her that determination to do whatever it takes – to literally go to the ends of the Earth – to get them where they need to be. She has to be very resourceful just for them to survive but she remains driven by love throughout.
So, although it’s set in a very challenging world, I think it’s actually hopeful – Katie doesn’t give up, she keeps hope alive through force of will.
Ob: How similar is the world depicted in Not Alone to the world as it is today?
SJ: In the last year, microplastics have been found in our blood streams, in unborn foetuses as well as in the soil, rivers and air. They have been measured being lifted out of the ocean into the atmosphere by hurricanes and deposited far away – similar to how toxic microplastics are lifted out of the sea in my book.
Also, Not Alone shows a challenging world but it isn’t completely barren – nature is finding a way to survive, just as Katie is. In a way it’s similar to Chernobyl, which is toxic but nature is fighting back and thriving there. I find that beautiful.
Ob: Have you always wanted to be a writer?
SJ: Yes. I started writing in my early twenties – there are some manuscripts that’ll probably never see the light of day!
Ob: What does your work as an ecologist involve?
SJ: I now work for the RSPB where the whole focus is on conservation, working for nature, and it feels really positive.
But until recently most of my career was as a consultant on development projects - assessing their ecological impact, particularly on specialist habitats and protected species, and recommending how to reduce the impact. I’ve worked on projects varying from infrastructure to water resources to renewable energy developments.
Ob: How did you become an ecologist?
SJ: The MSc Conservation Ecology at Brookes gave me a grounding in environmental legislation, species identification and fieldwork. It gave me a really good start in the skills and experiences I needed for my career. And whilst I was at Brookes I volunteered locally – for Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust and for Shotover Wildlife.
Ob: What are you proud of having achieved as an ecologist?
SJ: Leading on sensitive habitats and successfully translocating a rare plant under licence. Also, having the resilience and independence to travel overseas on projects alone.
Ob: Microplastics, climate change, air pollution, loss of biodiversity… these problems can seem terrifying. What gives you optimism for the future?
SJ: Globally I think we do have the answers to these problems. There are lots of examples of good local solutions. But we need to pull together. It’s all a bit topsy-turvy at the moment with all the onus on individuals to change everything.
Governments and businesses need to step up and make the big changes so that we, as individuals, are able to make the right choices.
Ob: Name one unfulfilled (so far) ambition.
SJ: I want to write a fantasy trilogy. That’s one for the future though. At the moment I’m working on a second novel about our connection - and disconnection - to nature. It’s not post-apocalyptic like Not Alone, the world hasn’t ended it’s been saved, but it is quite dystopian.
