What Are Global Warming and Climate Change?

Answers for Young Readers

By Chuck McCutcheon

Global warming is one of the most talked-about science subjects today. This book helps young readers ages 9 and older understand the issue.

Each chapter is written in an easy to understand question-and-answer format and includes numerous photos, charts and graphics. The information presented aligns with the findings of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change: that most of the warming observed over the last half-century is due to human activities and that the impacts will be significantly negative. The book includes several hands-on activities as well as interviews with young people who are concerned about what is happening and doing something about it. Read an excerpt.

A
B
C
D
E
A

Sun reflecting off ice (Courtesy John Gunn, Earth & Space Research)

B

Solar panels

C

Scientists monitoring ocean temperature changes

D

The Greenhouse effect

E

Grinnell glacier

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“Chuck McCutcheon makes clear to us all the importance of climate change and points the way to responsible action.”

U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman
Chairman
Senate Energy & Natural Resources Committee

Latest Reviews

Midwest Book Review

“An empowering educational effort with
far-reaching impact”

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National Science Teachers Association

“An excellent resource”

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Canadian Review of Materials Magazine

“Four stars – highly recommended”

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ForewordReviews.com

“This book belongs on every child‘s bookshelf. Parents would do well to read it themselves.”

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Read an interview where Chuck answers young readers’ questions.

About the Author

Chuck McCutcheon is an award-winning writer and editor in Washington, D.C. His writing has appeared in the Christian Science Monitor, Washington Post.com and other outlets.

Other Work from the Author

Nuclear Reactions: The Politics of Opening a Radioactive Waste Disposal Site
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Table of Contents


Introduction: What’s This Book About?

Chapter 1: What Is Climate, Anyway?

Chapter 2: What’s the Greenhouse Effect?

Chapter 3: How Are People Affecting the Climate?

Chapter 4: What Could Happen If Global Warming Doesn’t Stop?

Chapter 5: What Are Politicians Doing About Global Warming?

Chapter 6: What Are People Doing About Climate Change?

Chapter 7: What Can I Do About It?

Excerpt

For some teenagers, it hasn’t been enough to watch the news to hear politicians talk about climate change. They’ve gone directly to the politicians.

One of them is Verner Wilson, a Yup’ik Eskimo from Dillingham, Alaska. Even though Alaska is very cold, he has learned that gradual warming has caused many problems; in 2005, the state saw a record low amount of sea ice, which is a protective barrier to coastal communities in Alaska against harsh winter storms.

While he was in high school, Verner joined Alaska Youth for Environmental Action, a program of the National Wildlife Federation. They organized a petition drive and in 2006 collected more than 5,000 signatures from other teenagers in more than 130 cities and villages across the state asking for action.

They then traveled to Washington, D.C., to deliver those signatures to members of Congress. Not all of the politicians agreed with the group. But Verner and the others say they were able to persuade others that something must be done.

“This is our generation’s issue,” says Verner, who later became a student at Brown University. “We’re going to be the ones who are paying for it.”