Taking Action on Climate Change

This fact cannot be ignored: food shortages and climate change are linked. As Earth warms and drought or flooding occurs, farmers cannot grow crops and animals die. If disease occurs, it can wipe out huge amounts of food supplies if farmers have not used diverse seeds or a variety of livestock breeds. This book examines the complexity of a warming climate and its relationship to food and water. By showing examples of technological solutions, like metal "trees" that collect carbon and cloud seeding that creates rain, this book both gives readers hope and inspires them to make their own difference for our global community.

As greenhouse gases build in Earth's atmosphere, water and air temperatures rise. This triggers storms like we've never seen before. Extreme weather events, from tornadoes to tsunamis, are becoming a part of our everyday lives. This book examines the history of climate change and details the scientific cause of these storms. Additionally, it correlates humans as both the cause and the hope for climate change. Engaging sidebars and photographs enhance the experience for readers and allow them to understand both the impact of and solutions that are needed for wild weather.

As the planet warms, a ripple effect takes place: greenhouse gas emissions create warmer weather, which leads to heat waves, which then contribute to forest fires. Taking a hopeful yet realistic approach, this book encourages readers to understand the relationship between intensifying heat and disaster. It discusses current scientific research, shows examples of heat waves and forest fires all over the world, and encourages citizen engagement with stories of young activists. Through engaging facts, photographs, and charts, readers will understand the connection between global warming and disasters like heat waves and forest fires.

Water is an essential element of life. We need it for our crops, for drinking, and for cooling off, but we often take it for granted. However, as Earth's climate changes in response to human activity, our relationship to water will also change. This book examines the history of droughts in countries all over the world, feuds related to water shortage, and innovative technological solutions that could help more people have access to water. Readers will learn about solutions as seemingly strange as dragging glaciers to Africa alongside practical ways to waste less water, like xeriscaping yards and collecting rainwater.

Global warming affects water in two ways: shortages and flooding. This book considers the latter, examining the consequences of rising sea levels on human life. It explains the three-part response of "retreat, accommodation, and protection." It highlights innovative solutions like floating houses, tunnels under cities, sea walls, and inland seaways that could provide farms and food to nearby communities. Readers are informed about energy-saving strategies and alternative energy sources, and are encouraged to create citizen efforts to combat rising sea levels.

In a world that is slowly warming, the lives of plants and animals are at risk. Some, like the polar bear, are in danger of extinction because their Arctic ecosystem is melting. Others, like the golden toad, have already gone extinct. This books cites the Industrial Revolution and human-created greenhouse gases as causing a significant increase in global temperatures, which has adversely affected animals and plants. By understanding the differences between endangered and threatened species and the threats posed to various habitats, readers will form a new appreciation of conservation efforts and may be inspired to become environmental activists themselves.