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We Rise: The Earth Guardians Guide to Building a Movement that Restores the Planet
Challenge the status quo, change the face of activism, and confront climate change head on with the ultimate blueprint for taking action.
Xiuhtezcatl Martinez is a 16-year-old climate activist, hip-hop artist, and powerful new voice on the frontlines of a global youth-led movement. He and his group the Earth Guardians believe that today’s youth will play an important role in shaping our future. They know that the choices made right now will have a lasting impact on the world of tomorrow, and people—young and old—are asking themselves what they can do to ensure a positive, just, and sustainable future. We Rise tells these stories and addresses the solutions.
Beginning with the empowering story of the Earth Guardians and how Xiuhtezcatl has become a voice for his generation, We Rise explores many aspects of effective activism and provides step-by-step information on how to start and join solution-oriented movements. With conversations between Xiuhtezcatl and well-known activists, revolutionaries, and celebrities, practical advice for living a more sustainable lifestyle, and ideas and tools for building resilient communities, We Rise is an action guide on how to face the biggest problems of today, including climate change, fossil fuel extraction, and industrial agriculture.
If you are interested in creating real and tangible change, We Rise will give you the inspiration and information you need to do your part in making the world a better place and leave you asking, What kind of legacy do I want to leave?
Xiuhtezcatl Martinez is a 16-year-old climate activist, hip-hop artist, and powerful new voice on the frontlines of a global youth-led movement. He and his group the Earth Guardians believe that today’s youth will play an important role in shaping our future. They know that the choices made right now will have a lasting impact on the world of tomorrow, and people—young and old—are asking themselves what they can do to ensure a positive, just, and sustainable future. We Rise tells these stories and addresses the solutions.
Beginning with the empowering story of the Earth Guardians and how Xiuhtezcatl has become a voice for his generation, We Rise explores many aspects of effective activism and provides step-by-step information on how to start and join solution-oriented movements. With conversations between Xiuhtezcatl and well-known activists, revolutionaries, and celebrities, practical advice for living a more sustainable lifestyle, and ideas and tools for building resilient communities, We Rise is an action guide on how to face the biggest problems of today, including climate change, fossil fuel extraction, and industrial agriculture.
If you are interested in creating real and tangible change, We Rise will give you the inspiration and information you need to do your part in making the world a better place and leave you asking, What kind of legacy do I want to leave?
272 pages, Hardcover
Published September 5, 2017
56 people are currently reading
1104 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
January 5, 2018
Personally, this book trod a lot of the same ground many others have for me. I can't say that I learned anything new from this book but, then again, this isn't a book aimed at me. I'm already largely aware of the issues this book raises and I'm attempting to implement the suggestions the author discusses. The primary issue is that I don't think the author knows who their intended audience is or is trying to make everyone their audience.
Who is this book for? The people who need convincing that climate change is real? The indigenous teens committing suicide? The people who think nothing can be done? It's messy, and I don't fault the book for trying to hit all the demographics. What I fault it for is not really hitting any of the targets sufficiently, particularly considering the audience most in need of help (those whose lives are on the line) comes at the tail end of the book.
What this leaves us with is a book that struggles with tone all while remaining largely devoid of meaningful content. Tone is where the audience issues show up most. On the one hand, the author spends much of the book clearly laying out issues, describing first-hand accounts and stories of real events; the kind of stuff you might talk about to bring a coal miner into your camp. On the other hand, the author sometimes delves deeply into jargon and specialized language that would not be familiar to most readers; the kind of detailed information you might talk about with someone already familiar with the issues who just needs a push to become an activist. On the rare third hand, the author occasionally becomes incredibly casual with the reader; the kind of terminology you might use to connect with the youth you talk about in passing at the end of the book. It reads like it was not clearly organized (or spellchecked) and was more of a stream of consciousness. This can work in shorter writings, but for the size of this book, it felt like the book was repeating itself to pad the reading time.
This leads into the other major issue: the lack of meaningful content. The author has a little to say to a wide spectrum of people, but the result is that I think most come away without feeling like they really got anything out of it. That if the author had taken the last fifth of the book and cut everything else, the book would not have suffered. I can honestly say I did not need to hear about Yet Another Protest and how it Almost Was Stopped by big oil. I don't think anyone needs to read more arguments that Food is Important or Let's Not Poison Our Water Supplies or Don't Throw Toxins Into The Air and so on. It's not that these arguments aren't important, it's that most people are already somewhat familiar with this.
The long and short of this is that the book could have been great if the last 2-3 chapters were the book's entirety: simple ways to organize, useful tips to conduct protest, lists of groups that can benefit from your time and energy, etc. Add in very brief overviews of the problems/why it's important. Then you have a simple and useful book that feels tight and easy to extract new and useful information.
Who is this book for? The people who need convincing that climate change is real? The indigenous teens committing suicide? The people who think nothing can be done? It's messy, and I don't fault the book for trying to hit all the demographics. What I fault it for is not really hitting any of the targets sufficiently, particularly considering the audience most in need of help (those whose lives are on the line) comes at the tail end of the book.
What this leaves us with is a book that struggles with tone all while remaining largely devoid of meaningful content. Tone is where the audience issues show up most. On the one hand, the author spends much of the book clearly laying out issues, describing first-hand accounts and stories of real events; the kind of stuff you might talk about to bring a coal miner into your camp. On the other hand, the author sometimes delves deeply into jargon and specialized language that would not be familiar to most readers; the kind of detailed information you might talk about with someone already familiar with the issues who just needs a push to become an activist. On the rare third hand, the author occasionally becomes incredibly casual with the reader; the kind of terminology you might use to connect with the youth you talk about in passing at the end of the book. It reads like it was not clearly organized (or spellchecked) and was more of a stream of consciousness. This can work in shorter writings, but for the size of this book, it felt like the book was repeating itself to pad the reading time.
This leads into the other major issue: the lack of meaningful content. The author has a little to say to a wide spectrum of people, but the result is that I think most come away without feeling like they really got anything out of it. That if the author had taken the last fifth of the book and cut everything else, the book would not have suffered. I can honestly say I did not need to hear about Yet Another Protest and how it Almost Was Stopped by big oil. I don't think anyone needs to read more arguments that Food is Important or Let's Not Poison Our Water Supplies or Don't Throw Toxins Into The Air and so on. It's not that these arguments aren't important, it's that most people are already somewhat familiar with this.
The long and short of this is that the book could have been great if the last 2-3 chapters were the book's entirety: simple ways to organize, useful tips to conduct protest, lists of groups that can benefit from your time and energy, etc. Add in very brief overviews of the problems/why it's important. Then you have a simple and useful book that feels tight and easy to extract new and useful information.
February 2, 2022
Read for a climate literacy class and ended up skimming a majority of the second half. A lot of the information was outdated, very brief, and scattered which made it hard to grab onto for me. I would have loved more storytelling and hearing of the experiences of this young man because it seems like he has lived so much in his short time already!
April 19, 2019
I had the amazing opportunity to meet Xiuhtezcatl had an Earth Day celebration in IL. This young man is wise beyond his years! This is a great starting guide for ANYONE looking to help with our environment.
July 15, 2022
very inspiring
September 28, 2017
This book has me shook. It amazes me that a kid of 17 can be so knowledgable and driven to protect the earth. He goes into detail about the various problems we face in stopping global warming from animal agriculture, to fracking, all without making the individual feel insignificant. Too often do we hear about the harmful policies being put in place and the companies that can get away with murder, and it stirring up feelings of discontent that go unwarranted because we feel so disconnected or displaced from the conversation. We don't really know where to go or what to do with that drive to enact change. With tons of info on who to contact and how to start your own initiatives, this narrative helps to close the barrier between us and nature, and inspires us to be the Guardians of this earth.
May 26, 2018
It is quite impressive that a 17 year old wrote this book, but the difference between this book and a high school term paper is that the author actively practices what he preaches. Much of the information he provides is through firsthand experiences and interviews with other activists. It would behoove us all to read this book and change how we view resources and the treatment of our Earth—before the damage is irreversible not only for us but future generations.
February 1, 2022
Read for class (Climate Change Literature)- I ended up skimming most of the middle 1/3 of the book. There was a lot of good information (that probably needs some timely updates) but it felt like the book was trying to be too many things at once, when really what I was looking forward to was learning about this young person’s story. I think I would look to other more current resources from this author instead of using this book with students.
December 7, 2017
How can I give 5 stars to a book of nonfiction written by a 17 year old? Let me count the ways. Partly this young man never fails to inspire me with realistic optimism. I first heard him perform in my community when he was a boy. He is the kind of activist I want to become and I've regarded myself as an activist for my entire adult life. Still his suggestions on building a movement, acting for change, the audacity of knowing you can --must-- still demand more when the world might otherwise go to hell in a hand basket...
1. The shout out to the civilly disobedient Sea Shepherds, "Often rallies, lobbying, and petitions just aren't enough. That's when it's time to call in the pirates."
2. Info about the shrinking rain forests (90 acres a minute) to supply palm oil for 1/2 the processed food and cosmetics on store shelves. Extraction of tar sands from destroyed old growth forests in Alberta that will not be fertile again.
3. Clean up methods (or lack) of ocean oil spills; seismic signals for oil exploration in the sea that cause whales to go deaf and lose their sense of navigation.
4. Stories of the development of nonviolent discipline at Standing Rock DAPL resistance.
5. The Solutions Project from Mark Jacobson that maps out clean renewable energy in every state in the nation.
6. The vegan challenge ( all the challenges are based on the reader's own edge and passion). Meeting the Eco hip hop artist DJ Caven (whaaaat?)
7. Activism rooted in prayer and the image of 2 minutes of silence in climate March in NYC.
8. Value, no necessity, of diversity (useful for a campaign at my workplace).
9. How he handles Trump. (This is not about Trump).
Share it with young people seeking direction. Share it with activists who have given up.
1. The shout out to the civilly disobedient Sea Shepherds, "Often rallies, lobbying, and petitions just aren't enough. That's when it's time to call in the pirates."
2. Info about the shrinking rain forests (90 acres a minute) to supply palm oil for 1/2 the processed food and cosmetics on store shelves. Extraction of tar sands from destroyed old growth forests in Alberta that will not be fertile again.
3. Clean up methods (or lack) of ocean oil spills; seismic signals for oil exploration in the sea that cause whales to go deaf and lose their sense of navigation.
4. Stories of the development of nonviolent discipline at Standing Rock DAPL resistance.
5. The Solutions Project from Mark Jacobson that maps out clean renewable energy in every state in the nation.
6. The vegan challenge ( all the challenges are based on the reader's own edge and passion). Meeting the Eco hip hop artist DJ Caven (whaaaat?)
7. Activism rooted in prayer and the image of 2 minutes of silence in climate March in NYC.
8. Value, no necessity, of diversity (useful for a campaign at my workplace).
9. How he handles Trump. (This is not about Trump).
Share it with young people seeking direction. Share it with activists who have given up.
August 1, 2018
This kid is going to change the world and he wants you to help. Certainly a must read for any who want to do their part and need a little inspiration.
December 24, 2017
Yes, there is hope for the world and America too....
This is an amazing book on several levels. First, it is a great resource on the effects of global warming and what the fossil fuel industry is doing to our environment. Second, it not only describes the problems, but gives practical solutions the average person can do to make a difference. And third, which is the most astounding part, it is written by a 17-year-old who has done more for environmental protection than most of us will do in a lifetime.
Martinez is a passionate, articulate spokesman for the youth of today who will inherit the decisions made by governments regarding the environment. This book is a call to action to everyone, but especially to the young.
It is well written and deserves to be read by anyone wanting to save this planet. I highly recommend it.
This one gets five big stars.
This is an amazing book on several levels. First, it is a great resource on the effects of global warming and what the fossil fuel industry is doing to our environment. Second, it not only describes the problems, but gives practical solutions the average person can do to make a difference. And third, which is the most astounding part, it is written by a 17-year-old who has done more for environmental protection than most of us will do in a lifetime.
Martinez is a passionate, articulate spokesman for the youth of today who will inherit the decisions made by governments regarding the environment. This book is a call to action to everyone, but especially to the young.
It is well written and deserves to be read by anyone wanting to save this planet. I highly recommend it.
This one gets five big stars.
January 7, 2018
A 17 YEAR OLD WHO IS ON A MISSION TO SAVE OUR PLANET. This was a book about a young activist who is the leader of a group of young people throughout the world who are trying to saving the falling ecology. They are the EARTH GUARDIANS. I have watched him speak and love to hear this
YOUNG PERSON with the enthusiasm that can lead a successful movement. He is also a Hip Hop Artist and on this part I pass. This is not addressed in the book but I have seen him and I do not understand this form of supplying information. I think anyone can benefit from listening to or reading this book
YOUNG PERSON with the enthusiasm that can lead a successful movement. He is also a Hip Hop Artist and on this part I pass. This is not addressed in the book but I have seen him and I do not understand this form of supplying information. I think anyone can benefit from listening to or reading this book
September 29, 2017
A roller coaster of depression and hope, ending with a game plan.
October 12, 2017
Highly recommend! Impressive since this guys 17!! really eye opening in terms of climate change and what we can do about it! Seriously, no excuse since he started when he was 12....
December 31, 2017
What an AMAZING young man! 10 stars. :) "The time has come for us to put aside everything that divides us and rise together like the oceans to turn the tides." Xiuhtezcatl Martinez
December 25, 2017
I was very impressed with this young man's writing and insight, considering he's only 17!
January 18, 2018
This book is packed with practical advise on how to make this world a better place. It also gives up to date information on the status of many industries that are slowly destroying the earth. But what tugged at my heart and filled me with hope is seeing these young warriors be so active in their Earth Guardians organization.
The following brought me to tears:
"While we can't completely stop climate change, with concrete action, we can slow rising water and avert further catastrophic disaster. It's all a matter of how quickly we're able to get emissions under control. Even though this is the most critical issue our world faces, the media is mostly silent about it. That's why my little brother, Itzcuauhtli, decided to use silence as a megaphone to uplift the voices of the people most affected that so often go unheard. As a sign of solidarity, he placed green tape over his mouth and didn't speak a single word for 45 days. On December 10, 2014, he asked those around him to join him in a global hour of silence and wear a green wristband to show their support. Social media blew up with people around the globe sharing photos of them participating in the silent strike, recognizing their own power as world leaders. His message: "If we act as leaders, then leaders will act."
I was incredibly inspired by his commitment and creativity. I've spent my whole life with this kid, and, trust me, he is one of the most talkative kids you will ever meet. I tried to go silent for just that 1 day, and it was incredibly difficult. I only made it to dinner. He was planning to break his silence at a big event in New York City, but instead, he decided that he wanted his first words to be with his family. I still remember the first thing he said was "I love you, guys" in a roomful of close family and friends. It was hella touching, and a bunch of people started crying. When it comes down to it, this movement is about love."
Xiuhtezcatl is 17 years old, and his little brother must have been 6 or 7 years old at the time of his silent strike...
The fight continues...
The following brought me to tears:
"While we can't completely stop climate change, with concrete action, we can slow rising water and avert further catastrophic disaster. It's all a matter of how quickly we're able to get emissions under control. Even though this is the most critical issue our world faces, the media is mostly silent about it. That's why my little brother, Itzcuauhtli, decided to use silence as a megaphone to uplift the voices of the people most affected that so often go unheard. As a sign of solidarity, he placed green tape over his mouth and didn't speak a single word for 45 days. On December 10, 2014, he asked those around him to join him in a global hour of silence and wear a green wristband to show their support. Social media blew up with people around the globe sharing photos of them participating in the silent strike, recognizing their own power as world leaders. His message: "If we act as leaders, then leaders will act."
I was incredibly inspired by his commitment and creativity. I've spent my whole life with this kid, and, trust me, he is one of the most talkative kids you will ever meet. I tried to go silent for just that 1 day, and it was incredibly difficult. I only made it to dinner. He was planning to break his silence at a big event in New York City, but instead, he decided that he wanted his first words to be with his family. I still remember the first thing he said was "I love you, guys" in a roomful of close family and friends. It was hella touching, and a bunch of people started crying. When it comes down to it, this movement is about love."
Xiuhtezcatl is 17 years old, and his little brother must have been 6 or 7 years old at the time of his silent strike...
The fight continues...
July 12, 2022
As an Earth Guardian, activist, role model, and musician, Xiuhtezcatl Martinez has an extremely impressive resume. He first spoke at the UN when he was fifteen. He published this book when he was seventeen. He’s been involved in more movements and made more progress in his first two decades than I have in my entire life. It’s no wonder Rolling Stone listed him as one of the top twenty five people under twenty five most likely to change the world.
And his knowledge about climate change and its concomitant problems as well as his ability to articulate a number of challenging concepts is admirable. However, anyone who has a baseline of knowledge about environmental issues may be disappointed. Aside from some interesting tidbits–like how seismic air guns make whales go deaf and natural gas companies tried to use a “Friendly Fracosaurus” coloring book to propagandize children and Dallas Goldtooth and the 1491s are genuinely funny–the book mostly consists of commonplace information about rising temperatures, methane gas, ocean acidification, and food shortages.
Martinez and his ilk are clearly optimists, and I’m sure we need more of that, but as a pessimist, I found myself troubled by the idea voiced several times here that a calamitous event, like Donald Trump becoming president, could serve as the tipping point to galvanize people into action. It may have shocked many people into sitting up and paying attention, but, otherwise, its main consequences were to further normalize corruption, mass pollution, and alternative realities. And current polling indicates Trump may win again while our current president somewhere takes a nap.
But this is a book written by a young person, so maybe young people, too, can be the target audience and find a toe hold on a new way to fight back.
And his knowledge about climate change and its concomitant problems as well as his ability to articulate a number of challenging concepts is admirable. However, anyone who has a baseline of knowledge about environmental issues may be disappointed. Aside from some interesting tidbits–like how seismic air guns make whales go deaf and natural gas companies tried to use a “Friendly Fracosaurus” coloring book to propagandize children and Dallas Goldtooth and the 1491s are genuinely funny–the book mostly consists of commonplace information about rising temperatures, methane gas, ocean acidification, and food shortages.
Martinez and his ilk are clearly optimists, and I’m sure we need more of that, but as a pessimist, I found myself troubled by the idea voiced several times here that a calamitous event, like Donald Trump becoming president, could serve as the tipping point to galvanize people into action. It may have shocked many people into sitting up and paying attention, but, otherwise, its main consequences were to further normalize corruption, mass pollution, and alternative realities. And current polling indicates Trump may win again while our current president somewhere takes a nap.
But this is a book written by a young person, so maybe young people, too, can be the target audience and find a toe hold on a new way to fight back.
February 10, 2018
What an impressive young man. It's interesting to hear how all this (Trump inspired hateful misogynist, racist, big-business-loving, climate-damaging) mess is viewed through the eyes of a wise, young man. He recognizes the addictiveness of the internet and admonishes the youth to shut it off, find a passion that advances the condition of humanity and do something constructive about it, if not just to read and learn about it; to not get distracted by the internet addiction and get overwhelmed by all the negative actions being taken by this current administration. He reminds us that we need to do more than just sling accusations at each other, but to figure out ways to move forward.
December 6, 2022
A book by a 17 year-old environmental activist that reads like…. A book by a 17 year-old environmental activist - full of naïveté and bad writing. The parts that are autobiographical sound like bragging much of the time “me and my good pal Mark Ruffalo…” and the environmental parts are the kind of “we can change the world if we all work together” kind of message that makes me want to vomit. I’m sure I’m not the target audience, which is probably a more YA, but read it as a possible Common Experience book. Thank god we didn’t pick it…
March 23, 2023
Reads and rereads: 2017, 2019, 2023.
I have been following Xiuhtezcatl Martinez since he was about 14, along with Earth Guardians, so feel invested and connected to his/their story and storytelling.
Book: 5 (2017, 2019).
Audiobook: lesser rating (2023).
Too many mispronunciations. Example: pronounced Diné ("Dineh"), the name the Navajo people call themselves, "Dine," rhyming with "time." It needed slightly more proofreading/editing of the audio performance. I would have loved to hear Xiuhtezcatl read his own story.
I have been following Xiuhtezcatl Martinez since he was about 14, along with Earth Guardians, so feel invested and connected to his/their story and storytelling.
Book: 5 (2017, 2019).
Audiobook: lesser rating (2023).
Too many mispronunciations. Example: pronounced Diné ("Dineh"), the name the Navajo people call themselves, "Dine," rhyming with "time." It needed slightly more proofreading/editing of the audio performance. I would have loved to hear Xiuhtezcatl read his own story.
November 21, 2023
While reading "We Rise" (2017), it is often easy to forget that the author was a teenager when he wrote this book. Martinez articulates exceedingly well and has an insightful, educated, and caring intellect. He is an accomplished musican, activist, and now a published author who has addressed the United Nations - an admirable overachiever. Martinez focuses primarily on climate change but discusses other issues as well and provides comprehensive action plans for individuals and organizations to make things better. If you care about our planet and our future, read this book.
June 28, 2024
Loved this guide to movement building for youth climate activists. I’d recommend this to any young person interested in taking, and leading, climate action, as well as their mentors, teachers, elders, and friends.
The only downsides I saw in this book: one, it needs an editor; two, this felt stuck in the era in which it was published — the Trump election obviously was an important part of the EJ story, but reading this in 2024, I would’ve preferred a structure more timeless.
The only downsides I saw in this book: one, it needs an editor; two, this felt stuck in the era in which it was published — the Trump election obviously was an important part of the EJ story, but reading this in 2024, I would’ve preferred a structure more timeless.
December 2, 2017
This is an inspiring book! I can overlook the lack of confirmation of given facts because the best parts of this book are about mobilizing others to effect change in the world, and create positive relationships in the world. Organize, organize, organize, as he discusses with Bill McKibben. Bravo, Xiuhtezcatl! I would like everyone to read this book, starting at fifth grade.
January 19, 2018
Xiuhtezcatl Martinez is a 17-year-old Aztec activist who is focuses on climate change and indigenous peoples' activism. He started being an activist at the age of 9 and in his debut book he details all the activism he's been a part of so far. He also interviews many climate activists. The whole book is written as a guide to climate activism. Very great read.
April 20, 2019
Keeping in mind this was written by a teen, it was very informative and surprisingly well organized. His story is impressive and the book has a lot of quotable inspiration for young people regarding leadership, find ones passion, and using ones passion to make a difference in whatever way you can.
December 18, 2017
Do Not Listen to the Audiobook!
The information in this book is amazing. That being said it was written by a 17, he uses slang and other terms that are really distracting from his message. The audiobook was narrated Drew Caiden, A very write male which undermines the Xiuhtezcatks narrative.
The information in this book is amazing. That being said it was written by a 17, he uses slang and other terms that are really distracting from his message. The audiobook was narrated Drew Caiden, A very write male which undermines the Xiuhtezcatks narrative.
October 18, 2018
I can't believe this was written by a teenager. Martinez has accomplished so much in his lifetime. What an outstanding advocate for our Earth. I hope more will join in the movement he helped create and continues to promote.
July 26, 2019
Great content, I'd say a 4/5 for readability just because it was a teen writing it but If anything it made that more empowering more relatable and the content again is just what we need to know. A lot to learn from Mr. Martinez
June 19, 2022
I’m not sure why it took me so long to pick up this book and finish it. This is a great primer for community organizing and a testament to the young people that are dedicating their lives to make our planet better.
April 18, 2018
Fantastic! Captivating, informative, and unique presentation. Very eye opening. Love the author's passion throughout.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews