The Parents’ Guide to Climate Revolution: 100 Ways to Build a Fossil-Free Future, Raise Empowered Kids, and Still Get a Good Night’s Sleep

by Mary DeMocker, Bill McKibben (Foreword)

“Relax,” writes author Mary DeMocker, “this isn’t another light bulb list. It’s not another overwhelming pile of parental ‘to dos’ designed to shrink your family’s carbon footprint through eco-superheroism.” Instead, DeMocker lays out a lively, empowering, and doable blueprint for engaging families in the urgent endeavor of climate revolution. In this book’s brief, action-packed chapters, you’ll learn hundreds of wide-ranging ideas for being part of the revolution — from embracing simplicity parenting, to freeing yourself from dead-end science debates, to teaching kids about the power of creative protest, to changing your lifestyle in ways that deepen family bonds, improve moods, and reduce your impact on the Earth. Engaging and creative, this vital resource is for everyone who wants to act effectively — and empower children to do the same.

Genres: Parenting, Environment, Climate Change, Nonfiction

360 pages, Paperback

Published April 17, 2018

Reviews

[Greg Soden]

Accessible! Fun! Inspirational! Thank you, Mary!

Listen to my interview with the author:
https://www.stitcher.com/s?eid=544576...

[Megan Henning]

As an environmental educator and mom, I suggest just skipping this one. I was skeptical once I read the part in the introduction about how climate change is a parenting problem. I fully stopped after the chapter on how parents should just completely skip using diapers. The idea behind the book is fantastic. However, I person with a background in music and theater is not really the most qualified person to write it.

[Keith]

I went back and forth a couple times on liking this book versus not liking it. Overall, it had a lot of good topics with many points about how to fight for, speak about, or guide kids (and others) in understanding and addressing climate change. Some of the links in the book were outdated, as they led to archived versions of sites, and other topics have definitely further developed since the book was first published.

I found especially interesting the argument against geoengineering and the finger poke at Bill Gates, after having read Gates' How to Avoid a Climate Disaster: The Solutions We Have and the Breakthroughs We Need, in which he discusses using geoengineering. The differing viewpoints showed that there are still areas we need to work through in climate solutions, especially in understanding if a short-term "bad" solution might be needed to avert a far worse future.

Anyways, this book was great with all the links at the end of each "chapter". I still have a lot of them open and am reading them as I get a chance to further my understanding. For anyone choosing whether to read this book or not, I'd say if you want something that is geared towards seeing how to get your kids involved and motivated at a community and broader level, this is a good reference point. If you're just looking to see what you can do as an individual household with your own kids, this book isn't what you're looking for.

[Melissa Hart]

This witty and inspiring book has changed my life. Through painstaking research and vivid anecdotes, Mary DeMocker illustrates the actions parents and children can take--big and small--to ensure a livable future for kids like my 12-year old daughter. After I read The Parents Guide to Climate Revolution, we started to walk instead of driving to school; we learned to live with one car, shared homegrown organic vegetables and eggs with our neighbors, and frequented thrift stores instead of purchasing new clothes . . . all creative and simple ways to live more lightly on the earth with optimism.

Even more important, we began to write letters to our public officials and march in environmental rallies, as DeMocker suggests. What a wonderful way to empower young people and model democracy in action. This book, with its short and entertaining chapters that can be read cover to cover or in random bits, gives busy parents like me just the kick in the pants I need to publicly protest our increasing reliance on fossil fuels in an educated and creative manner.

[Kim]

Within all the fear and feelings of helplessness around climate change and our future, this book is a friendly branch to grab on to. With it's well written, easy to digest chapters full of bite-sized ideas and doses of humor, it gives us all sense of "we can do this" Mary Democker provides us with clear steps, big and small, and paves the way to work action steps in to our busy lives. This book is not just for parents of small children but for anyone who wonders what they can do to turn the climate ship around.

[Yhuan Muñoz Medina]

This is a great book to understand what is happening with global warming and how affects our daily life.
Mary DeMockler is guiding us in her vision how parents can contribute to try to resolve a problem that effects all humans beings.
It's a book easy to read, especially for people who has not understand at all the problems that global warming affects.
I consider this book like a great guide to think how can we empower ourselves to start a change for the climate.
Also is great book to share with all the family .

[Chloe Carnagey]

This book has a brilliant balance of information and relatable stories, and everyone can take something from it- whether they are parents or not. There needs to be change in the politics of this country, and unless we make our voices heard there won't be much of it. This book is a wonderful source on how to get involved and make change both in our personal lives, and on a broader level- which is what we really need at this point. Read this book and let's power on to a brighter future!

[Cheryl]

I interviewed the author of this book for an article so I wanted to read her book. I like how each chapter is only a page or two long. At the end of each chapter is a guide or action plan with concrete suggestions on how to implement the lessons learned. Some guides even offer a time frame like 5 times or 30 min while other guides are geared towards the age of the child. This book is an excellent resource for any family wanting to be more eco conscious.

[Karen Debraal]

Mary DeMocker's book is rife with practical ways people of all ages can work towards helping to stop our climate crisis. It isn't just for parents. It is for anyone of any age. Good for those taking a first step into changing their ways to help heal the earth and useful for seasoned activists. I give a two thumbs up! Great present, too!

[Charlotte DeVar]

Relevant, timely, expert advice in an age of overinformation and definite paralysis about how we can each contribute to the climate revolution in our own homes. Mary's advice is relatable and achievable, and offered with humor that makes it an excellent read. 10/10 would read again and have purchased for friends who NEED to read this.

[Karen Rainsong]

This was a great book and a wonderful tool for helping families and anyone learn how to engage in politics, wherever you live. It's essential reading in this age of the climate crisis and it has do-able activities to engage in civics and the political discussion in creative and family-friendly ways. I highly recommend it!

[Roslyn Braun]

Mary’s book is a great resource for parents, teachers and anyone who loves kids or cares about the future! Everyone who wants to empower both themselves and the children in their lives will benefit from reading this book. It will help anyone turn despairing thoughts into powerful actions. Share this book far and wide with everyone you know, and the world will be a better place because of you.

[Sha Wilds]

Agree with Sierra Magazine and other reviewers that this guide is a wonderfully clear and well written book with great practical tips for helping to save the planet. I enjoyed both the book and the audio book (read by the author), with its helpful and reassuring message that there ARE good things we can be doing which can add up to impactful changes. Highly recommended.

[Judy]

This is fun! 100 ways to be a climate revolutionary from planting trees to changing your media diet - for kids, families, just about everybody. It's easy to read - short chapters and wonderful ideas. The author is from my hometown, Eugene, Oregon.

[Sheri]

This book gives me tremendous hope in all my current overwhelming feelings of dismay for our country. I appreciate the time this author spent crafting a book that is perfect for any one who is concerned and wants to do something? Thanks for a great book. S. Rand

[Selby Gunter]

Great book! Filled with information and ideas. You can read my full review on my blog, Books at Tea Time.

[Jen]

I really enjoyed this book. It's packed with practical tips and referrals to other resources. The author is also candid and thoughtful in sharing her own experiences. The book is well organized and well written.

[Stephanie]

I wish this book had existed when my kids were young. Still useful though—good ideas on things everyone can do to make a difference.

[Fred Peck]

Mary DeMocker tells it like it is. This book is sobering and inspiring, a must-read for anyone concerned about the well being of our children, future generations and our earth.

[Liz]

Super important read for parents and teachers.

[John Ward]

This is a must for parents--or anyone--who wants to reduce their carbon footprint while understanding why they should (hint: for future generations) without feeling overwhelmed!

[Katherine M.]

Compassionate, informative, well written, timely. Thank you, Mary Democker.

[Christy]

Compelling, inspiring and doable without all the guilt and shaming.

[Paula Buel]

Chock full of great ideas. Even if you only use a few of them, well worth reading!

[Maarten]

Empty Virtue Signaling x100

[Megan Stubbs]

Happy with the resources listed throughout the book - lots of action items that are digestible for the everyday person

[Shannon Shea]

A great guide that goes beyond the "easy" steps to take that have minimal impact into making major changes in your life and society that aren't just good for the Earth, but good for your family too.

[Dakota Duncan]

This is a book that everyone should read. Lots of really good, practical advice about dealing with climate change.

[S. MacWilliams]

This is a highly informative and entertaining read about the most important issue that humanity has ever faced! Mary uses her humor and wit to spell out so many different ways to have a real impact on our planets future. I highly recommend this book to everyone who wants to do more, realizing that our government is not going to take care of business in time. It's really 'We the People' who have to step up, and this book is a GREAT way to do more every day.

[Kaya Stern-Kaufman]

Incredibly valuable! The book was so accessible. While it is chock full of important information and resources it is exceedingly practical and supportive not only in helping to heal our planet, but in creating a healthy family as well. Kudos to Mary for a brilliant book that operates on so many levels for the highest good of all.