A small book that really packs a punch!
The Story of Climate Change introduces its readers to the changes that have taken place on Earth throughout its 4.5 billion year history, referring to both glacial and inter-glacial periods. Before focusing on its more recent temperature changes, since the Industrial Revolution.
I was pleased to find a number of pages dedicated not only to the causes of climate change, but how scientists are gathering evidence across the world, with specific reference to the Keeling Curve (see below) – how ambitious!
The majority of the book does focus on the impacts of climate change more than anything else including how its threatening various ecosystems, the increased frequency and severity of extreme weather events, sea level rise, coastal flooding and environmental refugees to name but a few. However the final few pages do introduce various ways we can help tackle climate change such as green energy, eating less meat, planting trees etc.
But my biggest criticism has to be the element of blame placed on ‘rich countries’. I completely agree that there are certain countries that have contributed more to climate change, historically, than others but felt this broad grouping would make it somewhat harder for children to distinguish the true perpetrators.
Recommended age range: KS2+, providing students are somewhat familiar with climate change and its associated vocabulary.
Mrs Geography 