Climate Emergency Atlas: What's Happening - What We Can Do

by D.K. Publishing

Our house is on fire - it's time to wake up to the climate crisis facing planet Earth before it's too late.

This unique graphic atlas tells you everything you need to know about climate change and what we can do to turn things around. Which countries generate the highest CO2 emissions? Which coastal cities are most vulnerable to rising sea levels? What will the polar ice caps look like in 10 years' time? Which countries have successfully harnessed renewable energy sources?

Packed with facts and figures and more than 30 dynamic maps, Climate Emergency Atlas is clear and easy to understand, making it the perfect reference guide for all young climate activists.

Genres: Nonfiction, Climate Change, Environment, Science

96 pages, Hardcover

Published October 6, 2020

About the author

Dorling Kindersley (DK) is a British multinational publishing company specializing in illustrated reference books for adults and children in 62 languages. It is part of Penguin Random House, a consumer publishing company jointly owned by Bertelsmann SE & Co. KGaA and Pearson PLC. Bertelsmann owns 53% of the company and Pearson owns 47%.

Established in 1974, DK publishes a range of titles in genres including travel (including Eyewitness Travel Guides), arts and crafts, business, history, cooking, gaming, gardening, health and fitness, natural history, parenting, science and reference. They also publish books for children, toddlers and babies, covering such topics as history, the human body, animals and activities, as well as licensed properties such as LEGO, Disney and DeLiSo, licensor of the toy Sophie la Girafe. DK has offices in New York, London, Munich, New Delhi, Toronto and Melbourne.

Source: Wikipedia.

Reviews

[Ophelia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Always a fan of DK’s graphic atlas style books and this new book on climate change did not disappoint. Great resource and good to read with ages 10-15

[Frank Lang · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Wie wird unsere Erde aussehen, wenn ihr die Schule abschließt? Wenn ihr in eure erste eigene Wohnung einzieht, das erste Kind bekommt?” Die Fragen richtet der Klimaforscher Prof. Rahmstorf in seinem Vorwort an die Zielgruppe dieses Buchs. Bei jüngeren Kindern (und so manchem älteren) ist der Klimawandel nämlich nicht so präsent, wie er sein sollte. Dabei wird diese Generation mit den Folgen des Klimawandels viel mehr zu kämpfen haben als die aktuelle Elterngeneration.

Schon seit den 60ern zeigten Wissenschaftler, dass sich das Klima durch die Veränderungen, die der Mensch hervorruft, wesentlich ändert. Und das nicht zum Guten. Um diese Änderungen, diesen Klimawandel zu verstehen, müssen die Zusammenhänge bekannt sein, die das Klima prägen. Hier setzt das Buch an. In vier Kapiteln wird thematisch geordnet erklärt, was das Klima ist, was den Wandel verursacht, welche Folgen die Menschen erleben und zu erwarten haben und abschließend natürlich, wie das Klima geschützt werden kann.

Mit sehr anschaulichen Grafiken und Illustrationen werden die Zusammenhänge erklärt. Fotos von markanten Einzelereignissen zeigen zusätzlich sehr eindringlich, wie sich die gezeigten Zusammenhänge auswirken. Manche Grafiken sind bewusst sehr simpel gehalten und geben einen ersten Überblick. Eine gute Idee, zuerst etwas einfacher zu beginnen, denn den Klimawandel zu verstehen, ist teils gar nicht so einfach. Zusätzlich werden Statistiken in sehr eindrucksvollen 3D-Grafiken und -Illustrationen verdeutlicht.

Die Texte sind sehr gut aufbereitet und kindgerecht formuliert. Natürlich muss hier und da ein Fachwort verwendet werden, dieses wird dann aber im Glossar erklärt. Wie gut das Zusammenspiel funktioniert, zeigt sich bei der Erklärung der etwas schwierig zu verstehenden Thematik des Fußabdrucks, der hinterlassen wird, um z.B. ein bestimmtes Produkt herzustellen. Hier und da braucht es allerdings manchmal doch das erklärende Wort eines Erwachsenen.

Fazit

Nicht alle Schüler stehen freitags in der Öffentlichkeit und demonstrieren für eine Politik, die unser Klima schützt. Zudem überlagert die aktuelle Corona-Pandemie die Bestrebungen der Kinder und Jugendlichen, auf dieses Thema aufmerksam zu machen, in einem erheblichen Maße. Aber während wir davon ausgehen können, dass die Corona-Pandemie irgendwann enden wird, so wird der Klimawandel Bestand haben. Mit Büchern wie diesen, kann schon früh ein Bewusstsein dafür erweckt werden, denn wir können uns dem Klimawandel nur dann entgegenstellen, wenn wir unser Handeln ändern.

[Barbara Band · Rating 5 out of 5]

The tag line “What’s Happening – What Can We Do” explains perfectly the synopsis of this book. Described as a graphic atlas and containing over thirty maps, it details how the Earth’s climate works, the causes and impact of climate change, and the actions we can take, both individually and as a society, to reduce these.

As we have come to expect of DK books, it is visually stunning with impactful graphics, diagrams and striking aerial photographs that add to the text. Each double-page spread is packed with facts and figures on the topic being discussed – be it fast fashion, farming emissions or fossil fuels - and the visual representation of these gives an immediate impression and enables greater understanding.

Clear and easy-to-understand this is a book that both shocks and fascinates with a 100% wow factor – and up-to-date books on the environment are always of interest and needed. Aimed at 9 – 12 years (MG) it would fit well with both KS2 and KS3 curriculums, and is an essential addition to any school library.

[The Silvan Reverie | Sarah Street · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an incredible rich and detailed *unique* look at the climate crisis. It's readable and engaging, perfect for the 9-12 year old age range.

The book is divided into four sections:
How Earth's climate works
The causes of climate change
The impacts of climate change
Action on climate change

Each section contains a number of infographics and maps that only DK does best. It's such an important and interesting way to really dive deep and learn something about a complex and important topic. I can see lots of light bulbs going on as kids really dive into the material here.

I appreciate that infographics are useful ways to convey information but that this book (and many DK books) also really hone in on the details and *explain* the information that is being presented. You are never left feeling confused.

This book deals with an intense topic for children in an age-appropriate way, leaving action steps for the end that children can think about for their communities.

***Note: I was given a review copy of this book via DK. Opinions are my own.

[MK · Rating 2 out of 5]

A while ago, a shocking image of a polar bear and its cub standing on the sea ice in Antarctica was reported on the news, suggesting that polar bears may become extinct as the sea ice melts due to global warming.
They appealed, "We must take action on global warming as soon as possible."

However, in the end, the number of living polar bears increased.
And despite predictions that the coral reef islands, which are several meters above sea level, might sink due to the effects of global warming, they are actually expanding.

Even if global warming were true, it is not the emergency situation that this book proposes.
Natural disasters are not increasing due to global warming. This is not an urgent problem.

[Alan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like all DK publications this is very well illustrated and eminently readable.
It covers in its different sections
- How Earth's climate works
- The causes of climate change
- The impacts of climate change
- Action on climate change
Reading through these sections leads naturally to asking what should we do as a race, what should we do as a nation and what should I do as an individual. These questions were simply laid out in the closing double page. It was here that the target readership of the young was most evident.
I think this is an excellent resource for families but all will benefit from the way pressing issues are powerfully laid out.

[Shane · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fascinating, extremely well-presented atlas full of information about the various crises facing our planet & their flow-on effects. The info-graphic style presentation is very easy to read & understand, with lots of information conveyed.

The only negative is that it could all be a little overwhelming for young children. There is a section on what actions are being taken and what we can do to prevent climate change, but it is a relatively small part of the book.

[Arend · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of great and interesting information about the most important issue of our times. Reasonably well organized thematically, I struggled with the graphics (overloaded, distracting) and the ADD nature of the factoids scattered around the page. For example, you can make a meaningful comparison between the maps of global solar energy use and global wind energy use. I feel more informed, but not more educated.

[Andrea Northam · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book does a good job of explaining the why and what of climate change. Great for kids. Would be good if some adults would read it too.

[Dehlia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great resource for students (and adults!) Includes illustrated definitions to make complex science concepts understandable.

[Cecile · Rating 1 out of 5]

Uses theory of evolution dating.

[Lucy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A really interesting and detailed information book on how the planet is being affected by constant climate change. There was much I learnt from this book that I actually didn't know.