The Children of the Anthropocene: Stories from the Young People at the Heart of the Climate Crisis

by Bella Lack

Across the planet, the futures of young people hang in the balance as they face the harsh realities of the environmental crisis. This urgent book chronicles the lives of the diverse young people on the frontlines of the environmental crisis around the world, amplifying the stories of those living at the heart of the crisis. Advocating for the protection of both people and the planet, Bella restores the beating heart to global environmental issues, from air pollution, to deforestation and overconsumption by telling the stories of those most directly affected. Transporting us from the humming bounty of Ecuador's Choco Rainforest and the graceful arcs of the Himalayan Mountains, to the windswept plains and vibrant vistas of life in Altiplano, Bella speaks to young activists from around the world including Dara McAnulty, Afroz Shah and Artemisa Xakriabá and vividly brings the crisis to life. Bella's manifestos for change will inspire you to rediscover the wonders and wilds of nature, listen to different perspectives and, ultimately, change the way you think about our planet in crisis. This is your chance to hear the urgent stories of an endangered species too often the children of the Anthropocene.

Genres: Nonfiction, Environment

272 pages, Paperback

Published June 30, 2022

Reviews

[Alwynne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bella Lack’s overview of the devastating, ongoing, global impact of climate change is clear, direct, well researched, and sensible. But it’s also optimistic, hinging on examples of individuals and groups across the world who are making a difference and dreaming a better future. Some of these are activists like the Indian lawyer who clears beaches and rivers of plastic waste, others are farmers who’ve changed their patterns of working the land to make them sustainable and eco-friendly; some are taking on corporations whose activities are destroying the rain forests and indigenous communities. Anyone who’s read a lot about climate change will probably find much of the underlying information is familiar but it’s really enhanced by the inclusion of case studies and interviews.

Lack also takes on board broader issues around greenwashing, and the destructiveness of ‘take, make, dispose’ Western consumer culture. She brings together conversations on climate change and how to tackle it with a consideration of animal welfare. And crucially she's passionate about the necessity of taking a position that promotes social justice and intersectionality – crucial because of the growing number of right-wing, to far-right, ecofascists who are exploiting anxieties around climate change to promote their dangerous, exclusionary ideology.

There’s been a lot of mileage made out of the fact that Lack’s 18 years old, as with activists and writers like Greta Thunberg and Dara McAnulty. Some of this attention seems designed to downplay the seriousness or relevance of her work and some is the usual age discrimination - just as it’s assumed that everyone over a certain age is incapable of radical political thinking, which I find particularly odd when I think of the many older people I know who are active in groups like Greenpeace and Extinction Rebellion, there’s an accompanying, sweeping assumption that anyone seen as "young" is incapable of expressing an articulate political stance. That’s not to say I find everything Lack says equally convincing, her writing can be a bit breathless at times, and sometimes she’s essentially ‘preaching to the converted’, nor do I agree with every single point: elements of her take on nature versus culture and human behaviour for example. Nor is her writing as lyrical or expressive as McAnulty’s but for the purposes of the book it doesn't need to be. Overall, it’s an accessible, straightforward piece and a useful reminder of what can still be done and what is being done, a timely antidote to an increase in climate angst and the paralysis that can often go with it. A reasoned and reasonable introduction to the key issues as well as to the potential solutions, particularly useful for people just waking up to the problem.

Rating: 3.5

[Ram · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderfully and poignantly written book about the positive actions being undertaken by so many young folk around the world to make our planet a better place. The anthropocene is the age of human influence on our planet, and unfortunately we are only making the planet worse due to our actions. Numerous books & studies focus on the negative consequences of our actions, but this one is refreshingly different. Bella Lack is a teenager who is also a well-known conservationist and environmental activist. She has written this to highlight the work being done by young people in their own ways and in their own spheres of influence. The book has an overall positive tone, and gently encourages everyone to recognize, appreciate, and contribute in their own ways to making our planet a better place for all life.

The book is recommended for adults and youngsters, its never too late to know what is happening to the world, and how we can support, if not actively participate, in movements and initiatives which will help to reverse the negative effects of humanity's actions. A helpful manifesto at the end of each chapter gives specific pointers in this direction.

https://theprintedword.wordpress.com/...

[Sophie Woodhouse · Rating 4 out of 5]

stories can have a much bigger impact than statistics !! so wonderful to read about the optimism and hope of young people, our future ! change is more than possible and only together can we combat climate change ! lack’s bookgives insight into so many lives around the world and how climate change is affecting communities in many different ways, the western world has so much power to help those who are already making a difference

[Reuben · Rating 5 out of 5]

wonderful, hopeful, informative, a well written book.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing! Absolutely amazing. This book looks at the climate crisis unwavering and unflinchingly without falling into despair. It feels fresh, airy, and hopeful.

The book explores stories from across the world all relating to the climate crisis. The book gives solutions and answers that are tangible and very doable.

Most importantly, this book is very, very hopeful. It breaks the task down in a way that allows people to grapple and understand the enormity of the issue, but still remains hopeful, creative, and open minded.

I think this book is very approachable and is a great introduction to the climate crisis.

[Pam Mason · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book and am amazed that it written by a 17 year old. it is about climate change and the society in general and her language is beautiful for someone so young.
I am amazed that how much it makes me think about things even though I am nearly 70. I feel that I am never too old to understand how the world feels to young people. I hope that some of her ideas resonate with you

[Simone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an amazing book that I would encourage everyone to read!!! So so proud Bella

[Nigel Roberts · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not sure where to begin with this review. It isn't dull, boring or hard to follow, but somehow it didn't grip me. Perhaps I was expecting more after reading all the glowing reviews.
It's a good book, it's well written, and it's an important message to get across, but I suspect that it's mostly preaching to the choir.

[Walter Harrington · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good effort to communicate the issues surrounding environmental activism, but I think there were sections that were too preachy to appeal to an audience that doesn’t already share the authors concerns or beliefs. Also, I understand the idealism and even the urgency of these issues, but I think a more nuanced approach is needed if you would like people to get on board and actually do something about the issues. Sometimes idealism makes you miss the practice realities of life, especially for people who don’t have the means or are not in the situation to make environmentally conscious decisions. Ultimately, my biggest criticism of the author’s approach/motivation is that it is not grounded in anything beyond what she believes to be self evident truth. This tends to push us towards self-righteousness because it is just so clear to us, but in reality, what we believe deeply is not necessarily self evident to other people. Thus, you must ground your argument or motivation in something beyond yourself. The author, like many in her field, tries to ground it in the natural world and the inherent goodness of nature/life, but there are several issues one runs into when you go that route, not the least of which being that nature itself is a history of predator and prey, and of death and extinction, even before humans arrive on the scene. It’s not that I don’t share her concerns, or that I don’t believe in the inherent goodness of life-I do. But I ground that in the goodness of God, which leads to at least slightly (and sometimes drastically) different applications of our shared concern for our world. But that’s a much larger conversation beyond the scope of this review.

[Stef Rozitis · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted to love this book but it was poorly written and unedited...the author kept going off into narcissistic or sanctimonious rants instead of sticking to the engaging stories of climate activists the book promised to be about.

Ah but the author is only a kid people will say. Well fine but then if we're going to assume that kids can't write as well as someone who has had longer to learn (a fair assumption) then she needs better editors/mentors or you have to wonder why publishers picked up this book. The subject matter is crucial but I believe this book won't have a positive effect on anyone's behaviour...it will make a few people who already care feel warm and happy (perhaps) that the kids are doing so much but if I was reading this as a skeptic there is nothing in here to persuade me and the tone of "all adults ever are guilty in these very specific ways" is quite naive and offputting.

I worry that Lack will cringe in 5-10 years looking back on this.

I want books about young climate activists and sometimes I enjoy writing by young people but this...it didn't quite make the bar.

[Sophie Harwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

An effortlessly heart-warming and heart-wrenching read infused with wit throughout. Its message will hit you deeply and stick with you forever. So proud of you bella this is such an incredible and well-written book xx

[liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was so cool, looking forward to what she does next

[Jennifer Harding · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unfortunately I didn't love this book as much as I wanted to. Subject matter is important to me but I found it difficult to get into.