*For Welsh review, see language toggle switch*
(suggested) reading age: 7+
(suggested) interest age: 6+
Genre: #factual #nonfiction #environment #climate
The climate emergency
"It is unequivocal." Climate change is happening. That's what the latest IPCC report (2022) says. There really is no doubt that our planet is already being affected. Now is indeed the time to act, and that's before it's too late!
With so many things happening in the news, like the war in Ukraine, the cost-of-living crisis etc, it’s all too easy to forget the environmental crisis and watch it slide down the agenda. Only this week, the UK's new prime minister said he will not be travelling to this year's COP27 climate conference – what kind of example does that set? (don’t get me started!)
Renowned presenter Sir David Attenborough recently urged us all to stop climate change in order to save the planet. The video is hard-hitting and is in effect a ‘final,’ urgent plea from the 96-year-old. It was filmed as part of the BBC's Frozen Planet II series.
DK non-fiction books
When I was a kid there was nothing I enjoyed reading more than the Dorling Kindersley Eyewitness books. In fact, I binged my way through them. Ships. Trains. Mega buildings. Reptiles. Dinosaurs. Birds. You name it, I had it! These ARE undoubtedly the best non-fiction reference/fact books on the market - both in terms of appearance and content. They are so bright and visual with eye-catching pictures to hold the attention of a generation of children who have grown up in front of screens. These certainly aren’t the dusty, boring textbooks of old! The design and layout is excellent - with pages brimming with interesting facts but separated into small, manageable chunks.
I’ll admit, I’ve been like a broken record of late, moaning about the serious lack of high-quality Welsh non-fiction books out there. Not everyone wants to read stories about fairies or high school dramas. I can't stress how important it is to have engaging fact books, which feed young children's enormous curiosity and desire to learn and know things. Looking at what's currently on the shelves in Welsh - we're a bit behind. Where have the non-fiction books I remember fondly from the 90's gone?
A little sad perhaps, but I was super excited when I saw that Rily had adapted one of DK's books from the brilliant Find Out! / Discover series!
What will you find out?
The book starts from scratch – explaining exactly what 'climate' means. The book takes us on a journey through the history and changes of the climate and how we arrived at the precarious situation we are in today. It clearly explains how humans have affected the delicate systems that keep the planet healthy and balanced. As well as discussing the causes, we see the consequences if we don't change our ways. Nothing sums up the climate crisis more than the image of a polar bear. There's a fine line between telling the truth and fear-mongering, and I think this book strikes the right tone on that one.
If we are to see true, meaningful change, mankind must change its attitude and behaviors. Climate change – and how to solve the issue– is an incredibly complex problem, and one that requires global collaboration. It's not too late yet – by working together, we can turn the tide on climate change and keep out planet from warming past the point of no return.
The scale of the global problem is so great that it’s sometimes difficult for us to process. That's why I like the fact that the book offers practical ideas about what we can do, on a personal level. Like St David's said "Do the little things." And when the environment is concerned- he’s spot on. We all have to play our part, even if that just means turning the thermostat down a few degrees, or drying the clothes on the line instead of chucking them into the tumble dryer.
More More More!
I'm really thrilled to see this book - please Rily will you translate more of the series? I've already ordered several of the English books (Engineering, Reptiles and Space Travel!) and it’d great to have more of them in Welsh.
This is a book that will be extremely useful in the classroom, for geography work on global warming or sustainability, for example. As a teacher, I can definitely see how this book offers many opportunities for independent research and engaging discussions.
The next generation will inherit the planet, (or what’s left of it!) so it's incredibly important for our children to have a solid understanding of the situation and how they can be agents of change – just like Greta and the millions of children who went on school strikes for the environment in 2019.
Together, we can stop climate change. We have to!
Publisher: Rily
Released: July 2022
Price: £6.99
IPCC REPORT
IPCC, 2022: Climate Change 2022: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability. Contribution of Working Group II to the Sixth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change [H.-O. Pörtner, D.C. Roberts, M. Tignor, E.S. Poloczanska, K. Mintenbeck, A. Alegría, M. Craig, S. Langsdorf, S. Löschke, V. Möller, A. Okem, B. Rama (eds.)]. Cambridge University Press. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK and New York, NY, USA, 3056 pp., doi:10.1017/9781009325844