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Learn about the importance of climate and weather, as well as problems—and solutions—associated with climate change, in this essential children’s book.
Become a young climatologist, take care of our planet, and make a positive difference!
Our Earth is truly an amazing planet. Its well-balanced climate provides fresh water, clean air, comfortable temperatures, healthy food, and safe places to live. But that climate is falling out of balance. Find out what’s going wrong and what we can do to fix it! Debut author Ian Hunt is an expert in the field and an advocate of environmental education and activism. Here, he presents an introduction to climatology (or climate science) in this easy-to-understand guide.
Begin by learning about the atmosphere, as well as the basics of the carbon cycle and the greenhouse effect. That’s followed by a look at how climate change is measured and how it affects plants, animals, and the environment. A section on causes and solutions introduces different sources of energy, from oil to solar, with suggestions on how improvements can be made in the areas of industry, transportation, and waste.
The book ends on an uplifting, empowering note with a “What Can I Do?” chapter that offers reasons for optimism, small steps to take every day, and 8 impactful activities for families and classrooms: calculating energy use, taking a climate survey, starting a community garden, and more. This kid-friendly guide is filled with full-color photographs and illustrations. It’s engaging and informative as it starts children on a path toward building a better Earth!
Inside You’ll Find
- Beginner’s introduction to climatology
- The basics of renewable and nonrenewable energy sources
- Discussion of climate change’s causes and solutions
- Bonus activities for the family
“Ian Hunt’s Climate Action for Kids is the climate science book every young person needs! Hunt works miracles with this text. He makes hard topics approachable with language that is respectfully sophisticated while also simple enough for young fluent readers.... it’s a thoroughly enlightening text for even those of us who consider ourselves informed on the subject.”
—Sarah Hermes Griesbach, NYC Climate Writers Collective
—Suzie Hicks, The Climate Chick
“This book offers kids a thoughtful, age-appropriate foundation in climate science while showing them how their curiosity, creativity, and care for the world can translate into real action. A hopeful and practical starting point for climate learning.”
—Dr. Spencer R. Scott, scientist and author of As if We Are Staying
“Young readers, parents and educators will delight in this book! It’s a timely and essential resource for learning about and inspiring action related to one of the seminal issues of our time: climate change.... Climate Action for Kids... empower[s] readers and invit[es] them on an adventurous learning journey.”
—Ian Yolles, former board chair, NatureBridge
“Ian does an exceptional job taking complex concepts about climate change and making them accessible, engaging, and empowering for a younger audience. However, don’t mistake this book as being ‘just for kids’.... the content is rich, relevant, and deeply grounded in science. Most importantly, it encourages young readers to move beyond understanding the problem and start thinking critically about solutions and climate action, helping them see themselves as capable changemakers in the world.”
—Laurel Zaima-Sheehy, assistant director, K12 & continuing education, Columbia Climate School
Debut author Ian Hunt grew up in Ohio, where he enjoyed winters filled with snow and sledding. He became interested in climate change when he noticed those snowy winters becoming less frequent. He moved from the Midwest to California, where he held a variety of jobs, from hardening homes for fires, to planting native habitats. He earned his MA in Climate and Society from the Columbia University Climate School and now resides in Brooklyn, where he is an advocate for climate education and climate action.
Acknowledgments
Introduction: Earth
- What is Climate?
- Weather vs. Climate
- The Atmosphere
- The “Spheres”
- Law of Conservation of Matter
- The Carbon Cycle
- The Greenhouse Effect
- Linking Carbon and Warming
- Carbon Sources and Sinks
- Net-Zero
- Industry Greenhouse Emissions
- Global Climate Emissions
How We Know
- Ice Cores
- Sampling the Atmosphere
- Measuring Other Parts of the Earth
- Effects on Different Species
Are We The Problem?
Climate Action Needs Everyone
Big Problems Require Big Solutions
A Field Guide to Climate Change Causes (and Solutions)
- Energy Sources: Non-Renewable Energy
- Solutions: Renewable Energy
- Destruction of Nature
- Industrial Emissions and Damage
- Transportation
- Waste
Climate Impacts (and Solutions)
Other Climate Impacts
What Can I Do?
- Debunking Common Myths About Climate
- Taking Care of Yourself and Others
Activities
- Community Science
- Measuring Climate Through Crafts
- Imagine a Better Future: What Could Go Here?
- Joining a Community Garden
- Calculate Your Energy Use
- Climate Survey
- Create Positive Land Use Change!
- Start a Group
Sources
Glossary
About the Author