This talk delves into the narratives of SF where the world as we know it has been irrevocably altered by disaster. The talk examines how SF writers, especially female writers, portray the struggle for sustainability in extreme environments, where the collapse of known society isn't just a backdrop but a critical driver for story. These narratives eschew the restoration of old-world hierarchies, proposing instead a hard-earned testament to endurance, community cohesion, and inventive problem-solving.

Amidst scarcity and ruin, these writers envision new paradigms of living — not through the nostalgic lens of the great achievements of human beings but through the raw and unyielding reality of surviving the unthinkable. This talk will highlight compelling speculative works that focus on the tenacity of the human (and non-human) spirit, and engage with the creative problem solving vital for adaptation and resilience. It's a testament to the narrative possibilities that emerge from the ashes of decay and the critical role SF plays in forging pathways to realizable and sustainable futures, encouraging us not just to think of what might be, but what we can do with what remains.