What on Earth Is...

Conservation of wildlife is a big deal. The more biodiversity in a habitat, the healthier it is. And, people live in a lot of the habitats animals do. So, the better animals are doing, the better our habitat is! However, there are continuing threats to wildlife around the world: habitat loss, poaching, and climate change are just a few. In this volume, readers find out more about how wildlife is being harmed by people's actions-and what they can do to help right in their own community. Full-color images illustrate the concepts discussed in the main text, aiding reading comprehension.

Climate change is a concept kids are likely to have heard, whether on the news, from grown-ups around them, or in school. However, understanding climate and how it can change because of people's activities on Earth can seem complicated. This beautiful book breaks down climate change for emerging readers in an accessible way through detailed images, diagrams, and main content written in language perfect for practicing independent reading. The main content supports both Earth science curricula and environmental science learning, as well as engages readers with the fate of the natural world around them.

So much of the world is powered by fossil fuels, especially coal and natural gas. But, a growing movement toward wind, solar, and water power could go a long way in helping life on Earth survive for a long time! In this book, readers discover the incredible technology of renewable energy as well as the troubles caused by continued use of fossil fuels. A beautifully colored layout engages readers with the age-appropriate text and aid comprehension by correlating directly to the main science text.

Intensive farming, sometimes called conventional or industrial agriculture, is not good for planet Earth-it's good for big food corporations who make a lot of money farming this way. Is there a better way? In this book, readers learn the basics of intensive farming for both crops and animals, as well as its consequences. The language and content are age-appropriate and paired with beautiful images to inspire care for the natural world around us. Realistic ideas for how kids can chip in to slow the problems caused by intensive farming, engaging readers with conservation right in their own communities.

From overfishing to the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, Earth's oceans are in trouble. Warming oceans and dying coral reefs are other problems that we can point to as affecting a great deal of life on Earth. Is there anything that can be done to help these problems? In this book, readers learn about the problems facing Earth's oceans, alerting them to the actions, such as improper plastic disposal, that lead to the trouble. The engaging design draws in even reluctant readers and realistic suggestions of how to help Earth's oceans bring science learning from the page into readers' lives.

Some people might find the title question easy to answer: People are polluting our planet! From plastic bottles and straws to landfills and mining waste, there are so many ways we harm Earth by the ways we dispose of things. Readers learn about many of them in this book, which for some may serve as a call to action to change their ways! Including ideas of conservation and Earth science as well as civic duty, the main content is age-appropriate for emerging readers. Artistic renderings of the consequences of pollution directly correlate with the engaging text to aid in comprehension.