Climate Action for Kids

Debut author Ian Hunt grew up in Ohio, where he enjoyed winters filled with snow and sledding. He became interested in climate change when he noticed those snowy winters becoming less frequent. He moved from the Midwest to California, where he held a variety of jobs, from hardening homes for fires, to planting native habitats. He earned his MA in Climate and Society from the Columbia University Climate School and now resides in Brooklyn, where he is an advocate for climate education and climate action.

“Ian Hunt’s Climate Action for Kids is the climate science book every young person needs! Hunt works miracles with this text. He makes hard topics approachable with language that is respectfully sophisticated while also simple enough for young fluent readers.... it’s a thoroughly enlightening text for even those of us who consider ourselves informed on the subject.”—Sarah Hermes Griesbach, NYC Climate Writers Collective“I cannot wait to use this book in my classroom! Climate Action for Kids lays the groundwork for powerful climate literacy through accessible explanations, compelling stories, and achievable activities for students everywhere. This book is going to be a game changer for climate education.”—Suzie Hicks, The Climate Chick“This book offers kids a thoughtful, age-appropriate foundation in climate science while showing them how their curiosity, creativity, and care for the world can translate into real action. A hopeful and practical starting point for climate learning.”—Dr. Spencer R. Scott, scientist and author of As if We Are Staying“Young readers, parents and educators will delight in this book! It’s a timely and essential resource for learning about and inspiring action related to one of the seminal issues of our time: climate change.... Climate Action for Kids... empower[s] readers and invit[es] them on an adventurous learning journey.” —Ian Yolles, former board chair, NatureBridge“Ian does an exceptional job taking complex concepts about climate change and making them accessible, engaging, and empowering for a younger audience. However, don’t mistake this book as being ‘just for kids’.... the content is rich, relevant, and deeply grounded in science. Most importantly, it encourages young readers to move beyond understanding the problem and start thinking critically about solutions and climate action, helping them see themselves as capable changemakers in the world.”—Laurel Zaima-Sheehy, assistant director, K12 & continuing education, Columbia Climate School

• AcknowledgmentsIntroduction: EarthWhat is Climate?Weather vs. ClimateThe Atmosphere The “Spheres”Law of Conservation of Matter The Carbon CycleThe Greenhouse EffectLinking Carbon and WarmingCarbon Sources and SinksNet-ZeroIndustry Greenhouse EmissionsGlobal Climate EmissionsHow We KnowIce CoresSampling the AtmosphereMeasuring Other Parts of the EarthEffects on Different SpeciesAre We The Problem?Climate Action Needs EveryoneBig Problems Require Big SolutionsA Field Guide to Climate Change Causes (and Solutions)Energy Sources: Non-Renewable EnergySolutions: Renewable EnergyDestruction of NatureIndustrial Emissions and DamageTransportationWasteClimate Impacts (and Solutions)Other Climate ImpactsWhat Can I Do?Debunking Common Myths About ClimateTaking Care of Yourself and OthersActivitiesCommunity ScienceMeasuring Climate Through CraftsImagine a Better Future: What Could Go Here?Joining a Community GardenCalculate Your Energy UseClimate SurveyCreate Positive Land Use Change!Start a GroupSourcesGlossaryAbout the Author