A book 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 aligns with the findings of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and other scientists: that most of the warming observed over the last half-century is due to humans 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.
Keep the story coming. Make it understandable to kids and maybe they will teach their parents, or the parents will learn as they read along with their children.
Good work. good luck,
Hedrick Smith
Your book has been an invaluable tool for all of us at ClimateMama in our presentations and talks to parents and parent groups on the reality of climate change.We feel confident that we are presenting fact-based information which you have put together in one place, from reliable and trusted sources, that we can count on. Love the “hands on activities” and hearing directly from kids on what matters to them and how they are taking charge! Great resource. Thank you.
The weekend after next, I will be reading my papercut illustrated book, Seeds for a New Day, and leading a discussion meant to create dialogue between adults and children around the economic and environmental challenges we face and the great opportunity that stands before us if we choose to grasp it.
It frightens me that children are so often left out of this important discussion.
This morning I googled “talking to kids about climate change” and found an article published by Mother Jones asking for people to comment back with suggestions. Only about four of the 39 comments (two were blocked because of inappropriate content) actually had concrete responses. Chuck- thank you for being one of those people.
Kids are naturally resilient, and I believe in many ways more capable of creative response. I encourage adults to tell the truth quickly, apologize and move on. By move on I mean CREATE POSITIVE ACTION! With open hearts, both hands, and kids in tow begin to build a world independent from the insanity we see all around us.
- Include children in our daily life changes, sacrifices, and experiments. Get them in the garden on the weekend, make them help take care of the chicken flock, pick berries, make jam (this will be better for your back and their minds).
- Include kids in activities centered around community involvement. Get them down to your farmers market, take them along to the free gardening class offered at your local community club, take them along to volunteer to clean up the neighborhood. Introduce them to neighbors.
- Get the whole family thinking about the power of cooperation (I think this is the most important). As an extension of community involvement, we can give examples of the power in numbers. I’m thinking about food and plant swaps, community gardening, and seed sharing. This creates a sense of connection and empowerment while providing the family with a peer group that appreciates and encourages our individual and collective efforts. This is key to sustaining change.
- Don’t discourage them away from dreaming the beautiful dreams that only children can dream. We may need children now, more than they need us.
Thank you for being one of lights in the dark,
Sarai Stevens
Mother of three, avid forest gardener, farmers market coordinator, community activist, author/illustrator, certified “Raven Lunatic”