PERTANIKA JOURNAL OF SOCIAL SCIENCES AND HUMANITIES

Extreme weather and natural disasters occur frequently, posing great challenges to human survival and development; therefore, the mitigation of and adaptation to climate change are urgently needed. Back to the Garden (2012) by the contemporary American novelist, Clara Hume, depicts the experiences of a group of survivors who help each other and overcome obstacles on their journey to find their families in the wake of climate change. This paper focuses on the human connections depicted in the novel and the emotions of the main characters as they struggle for survival. The objective of the study is to examine the human emotions and relationships during the climate crisis and investigate the important role of positive emotions in adapting to climate change. This study applies the theory of emotional intelligence by the American philosopher, Martha Nussbaum, to analyse the relationships and emotions of the main characters in the novel. The result of this study demonstrates that works of literature highlight human reflections on adapting to the new environment and paying more attention to human future destiny by describing human efforts. As the world is experiencing dramatic climate change, the survival and development of human beings will always be a major concern, and the emotional connection between people and the positive mental state of individuals will help us better cope with and adapt to climate change.