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This Book Will Save the Planet: A Climate-Justice Primer for Activists and Changemakers
A rousing and radical investigation into the climate crisis, its causes, and how to fight for the most vulnerable people affected by it, This Book Will Save the Planet is a vibrantly illustrated study of one of humanity’s most significant threats.
2023 Social Justice Literature Award Honor Book, Nonfiction
With this third title in the New York Times #1 best-selling Empower the Future series , you’ll gain a deeper understanding of climate change and climate justice.
Our planet is in crisis. The ice caps are melting, sea levels are rising, wildfires are raging… and those most affected by global warming are marginalized communities across the globe.
But all is not lost— there’s still time for each and every one of us to make a difference .
Through the lens of intersectionality, author Dany Sigwalt lays out the framework for how we can come together to fight climate change, and how we can work to put people over profit. The planet is not protected if all its inhabitants are not; the people are not protected if the planet they inhabit is not.
In this book, you
At the end of each chapter, there are activities and calls to action to get you thinking and to grow your knowledge. All you need is a pen and a piece of paper.
With kaleidoscopic and vibrant illustrations by artist Aurélia Durand, this book is written for everyone who lives on planet Earth. By the end, you’ll have the tools you need to go out and make a difference.
The Empower the Future series is a collection of vital and urgent books about how we can all build a better world. Other titles in the list include This Book is Feminist and This Book is Anti-Racist.
2023 Social Justice Literature Award Honor Book, Nonfiction
With this third title in the New York Times #1 best-selling Empower the Future series , you’ll gain a deeper understanding of climate change and climate justice.
Our planet is in crisis. The ice caps are melting, sea levels are rising, wildfires are raging… and those most affected by global warming are marginalized communities across the globe.
But all is not lost— there’s still time for each and every one of us to make a difference .
Through the lens of intersectionality, author Dany Sigwalt lays out the framework for how we can come together to fight climate change, and how we can work to put people over profit. The planet is not protected if all its inhabitants are not; the people are not protected if the planet they inhabit is not.
In this book, you
At the end of each chapter, there are activities and calls to action to get you thinking and to grow your knowledge. All you need is a pen and a piece of paper.
With kaleidoscopic and vibrant illustrations by artist Aurélia Durand, this book is written for everyone who lives on planet Earth. By the end, you’ll have the tools you need to go out and make a difference.
The Empower the Future series is a collection of vital and urgent books about how we can all build a better world. Other titles in the list include This Book is Feminist and This Book is Anti-Racist.
160 pages, Paperback
Published August 2, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
July 25, 2022
** Thanks so much to NetGalley, Dany Sigwalt, and Quarto Publishing Group – Frances Lincoln Children's Books for this ARC! This Book Will Save the Planet will be out August 2nd, 2022! **
This Book Will Change the Planet is the third book in the New York Times #1 best-selling Empower the Future series. I read This Book is Anti-Racist a couple of years ago and absolutely adored it. It was a beautiful, powerful book for young readers. I was so excited to see this sequel on NetGalley! Just like its predecessor, This Book Will Save the Planet was insightful, easy to read, and visually arresting. I appreciated the emphasis placed on intersecting systems of oppression, such as the overlap between climate change and racism. This also managed to strike a near-impossible balance of being frighteningly accurate about the risks that humanity and planet earth are facing, while also providing hope and concrete actions steps. A lovely new book in the series that I would whole-heartedly recommend for young climate activists.
4 stars - I really liked it
This Book Will Change the Planet is the third book in the New York Times #1 best-selling Empower the Future series. I read This Book is Anti-Racist a couple of years ago and absolutely adored it. It was a beautiful, powerful book for young readers. I was so excited to see this sequel on NetGalley! Just like its predecessor, This Book Will Save the Planet was insightful, easy to read, and visually arresting. I appreciated the emphasis placed on intersecting systems of oppression, such as the overlap between climate change and racism. This also managed to strike a near-impossible balance of being frighteningly accurate about the risks that humanity and planet earth are facing, while also providing hope and concrete actions steps. A lovely new book in the series that I would whole-heartedly recommend for young climate activists.
4 stars - I really liked it
July 20, 2022
This collection has a lot of information for the youngsters which will help them to become more aware regarding different issues the world is facing at the moment. Reading this book together will give them lots of food for thought, be more knowledgeable on these topics.
I find the contents quite satisfying and important.
However, I am a little disappointed with the choice of colours as I find it a little uncomfortable to read the book with such bright, dark colours. Maybe it will come out better in paper.
Thank you, Quarto Publishing Group - Frances Lincoln Children's Books, for thr advance reading copy.
I find the contents quite satisfying and important.
However, I am a little disappointed with the choice of colours as I find it a little uncomfortable to read the book with such bright, dark colours. Maybe it will come out better in paper.
Thank you, Quarto Publishing Group - Frances Lincoln Children's Books, for thr advance reading copy.
December 15, 2022
This short book engages the reader with facts and colorful illustrations to address climate and racial injustice. It discusses the reality of climate change and the consequences of it. You can’t force someone to care or read about things, but I will shove this book in everyone’s face if I must.
August 30, 2022
This is a YA book, but weirdly it was in the kid's section at B&N. It's a beautiful good, lavishly illustrated. The content is solid. A progressive view of what the main drivers of emissions are and how social and environmental justice are fundamentally part of any discussion on climate. Would be a good book for a high school class. It's good for opening the door to deeper discussions.
August 1, 2022
This Non-fiction text teaches about climate change and what we need to do to protect our planet. Divided into two sections; what are the issues, and what can we do, and further subdivided into 16 chapters this book covers content such as: green house gases, fossil fuels, disaster response and climate justice. The book concludes with further reading suggestions and a glossary. The illustrations are bright and colourful and will draw the reader in without taking away from the informational text. The font is fairly clean and easy to read with some bold and different sized texts. There are a few text boxes but not too many, most of the important information is right in the body text. The vocabulary and concepts are definitely challenging, but I think that most middle and high school students would be able to comprehend the content. I would recommend this book for students in grades 5-12. Younger students will likely need support to understand the text but this could also be a great opportunity for younger students who want to take action and learn more about climate change and the environment. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book!
August 31, 2022
Primer book on climate change for tweens. Good content, covers all the bases and gives ideas for action. I read it because it’s written by a Macalester graduate.
I was hoping to get some new insights into racial justice and it’s intersectionality with climate justice. I did get some good points on things to think about.
Here is what the author says about my main concern:
Main stream environmental movements can also miss the bigger picture of climate justice, focusing on reducing waste, or buying an electric vehicle, for example. These play a role in climate solutions, but focusing on individual choices can often overlook the need for systemic change, and it can create a divide, for example, between those who can easily make shifts in their purchases, and those who cannot. This can lead to significant tensions between individually focused environmentalist and people working for equity, justice, access, and inclusion.
But then this makes me feel better:
Page 119- Individual and collective actions aren’t necessarily incompatible. We can organize for systemic change, bringing other people along in the journey of fighting for the world that we deserve, will still encouraging individual behavior changes. In this way, encouraging personal behavior when there’s intention and recognition that this choice isn’t available to all, can only deepen and empower the climate justice movement.
Why is this relevant?
Page 94 -In 2020 it was revealed that the fossil fuel industry, including multinational oil and gas companies, actively funded police foundations, to pay for training, weapons, equipment, and surveillance technology in cities such as Seattle, Chicago, Washington DC, Salt Lake City, and New Orleans.
Page 76 - how do climate justice and disability justice intersect? People with disabilities are often some of the most marginalized members of a society and, as we have learned, climate change disproportionately affects the most marginalized and vulnerable folk in a community. Climate change issues highlight the areas where infrastructure and strategy are failing to meet everyone’s needs. This could include, for example, not giving enough thought to have someone with limited mobility would quickly evacuate in the event of a tsunami.
So, what to do?
Page 133 communities can respond more quickly and thoroughly to neighbors request than government offices and nonprofit organizations that are operating on a service model that checks the name off of a list and doesn’t think about them again.
Page 136 mutual aid, at its route, honors peoples requests, which are based on their own understanding of their own situation, and works to make sure those requests are met, without questioning their motives or judgment. It flips the script of wealthy donors deciding how it is distributed. Mutual aid puts the power into the hands of people who are most vulnerable to systemic violence, which is most acutely visible during and after crisis moments.
And, Page 125 and short, instead of wondering why people don’t make better choices, ask why corporations aren’t doing more to make sustainable options available. Ask why large numbers of schools aren’t teaching children about the climate crisis and the systems that of worsened it. And then see how you can work collectively to help them reach these goals.
I was hoping to get some new insights into racial justice and it’s intersectionality with climate justice. I did get some good points on things to think about.
Here is what the author says about my main concern:
Main stream environmental movements can also miss the bigger picture of climate justice, focusing on reducing waste, or buying an electric vehicle, for example. These play a role in climate solutions, but focusing on individual choices can often overlook the need for systemic change, and it can create a divide, for example, between those who can easily make shifts in their purchases, and those who cannot. This can lead to significant tensions between individually focused environmentalist and people working for equity, justice, access, and inclusion.
But then this makes me feel better:
Page 119- Individual and collective actions aren’t necessarily incompatible. We can organize for systemic change, bringing other people along in the journey of fighting for the world that we deserve, will still encouraging individual behavior changes. In this way, encouraging personal behavior when there’s intention and recognition that this choice isn’t available to all, can only deepen and empower the climate justice movement.
Why is this relevant?
Page 94 -In 2020 it was revealed that the fossil fuel industry, including multinational oil and gas companies, actively funded police foundations, to pay for training, weapons, equipment, and surveillance technology in cities such as Seattle, Chicago, Washington DC, Salt Lake City, and New Orleans.
Page 76 - how do climate justice and disability justice intersect? People with disabilities are often some of the most marginalized members of a society and, as we have learned, climate change disproportionately affects the most marginalized and vulnerable folk in a community. Climate change issues highlight the areas where infrastructure and strategy are failing to meet everyone’s needs. This could include, for example, not giving enough thought to have someone with limited mobility would quickly evacuate in the event of a tsunami.
So, what to do?
Page 133 communities can respond more quickly and thoroughly to neighbors request than government offices and nonprofit organizations that are operating on a service model that checks the name off of a list and doesn’t think about them again.
Page 136 mutual aid, at its route, honors peoples requests, which are based on their own understanding of their own situation, and works to make sure those requests are met, without questioning their motives or judgment. It flips the script of wealthy donors deciding how it is distributed. Mutual aid puts the power into the hands of people who are most vulnerable to systemic violence, which is most acutely visible during and after crisis moments.
And, Page 125 and short, instead of wondering why people don’t make better choices, ask why corporations aren’t doing more to make sustainable options available. Ask why large numbers of schools aren’t teaching children about the climate crisis and the systems that of worsened it. And then see how you can work collectively to help them reach these goals.
November 15, 2022
Some good information but the author’s bias and politics draw conclusions that don’t equal truth.
On the positive side, there are many good ideas for how individuals can effect positive change when it comes to helping improve the negative effects big tech and industry have had on the climate. Chapters
12-16 are devoted to this pursuit.
The first 11 chapters introduce the author, her experiences and identify the terms along with her definitions and that’s where the problems begin. I know it’s her book but some of the definitions are effected by race and gender bias. If, as this title says, “This Book Will Save the Planet”, it should save and be accessible to all those living on the planet. I was definitely not welcomed in her book.
One of the examples author, Dany Sicwalt, gave as her defining moment for pursuing climate justice as her life’s work was her assessment of the disparity of treatment between people of color and white people during Hurricane Sandy; also Katrina, but Sandy was the clincher. She erroneously concluded that white people had it easier because we had more access to cars for escaping, insurance for making claims and were therefore just better off while the cities infrastructure crumbled and people of color were trapped. I’m not going to go blow by blow with her but I live in a small community of seniors, many hues represented, low income housing. We had no public services for almost 2 months and because I’m handicapped and couldn’t haul potable water, was forced to evacuate my place for 5 weeks. It was 3 years before our street was repaired - THREE YEARS. There are lots of stories like this, they just weren’t important enough to make the news. As for my insurance claim? Laughable.
I do believe Sicwalt has good intentions but her ideas on a circular economy are going to perpetuate low income and the inability for people to withstand hard times. That $10 multiplying itself won’t go very far if someone or yourself get sick and can’t work for a few weeks. A sharing, caring community is great, I live in one, but it’s not a commune. We all have families that have needs and so do we and that comes first, even tho’ we love our friends and neighbors.
The artwork is bright, bold and much of it looks angry, to me. There’s great diversity in hair styles, clothing, body types, sizes, skin tones and differently abled people are represented. A big mix of type font sizes and styles along with using boxes, colors, splashes, swirls, etc. set the information off and help make it easy to find again.
A bunch of activities are included for those who are interested and inspired to be more involved in specific areas. You might want a notebook to keep track of your responses to questions the author asks along the way; there are many of them.
All things considered, the good stuff is tainted by politics and bias gone wrong📚
On the positive side, there are many good ideas for how individuals can effect positive change when it comes to helping improve the negative effects big tech and industry have had on the climate. Chapters
12-16 are devoted to this pursuit.
The first 11 chapters introduce the author, her experiences and identify the terms along with her definitions and that’s where the problems begin. I know it’s her book but some of the definitions are effected by race and gender bias. If, as this title says, “This Book Will Save the Planet”, it should save and be accessible to all those living on the planet. I was definitely not welcomed in her book.
One of the examples author, Dany Sicwalt, gave as her defining moment for pursuing climate justice as her life’s work was her assessment of the disparity of treatment between people of color and white people during Hurricane Sandy; also Katrina, but Sandy was the clincher. She erroneously concluded that white people had it easier because we had more access to cars for escaping, insurance for making claims and were therefore just better off while the cities infrastructure crumbled and people of color were trapped. I’m not going to go blow by blow with her but I live in a small community of seniors, many hues represented, low income housing. We had no public services for almost 2 months and because I’m handicapped and couldn’t haul potable water, was forced to evacuate my place for 5 weeks. It was 3 years before our street was repaired - THREE YEARS. There are lots of stories like this, they just weren’t important enough to make the news. As for my insurance claim? Laughable.
I do believe Sicwalt has good intentions but her ideas on a circular economy are going to perpetuate low income and the inability for people to withstand hard times. That $10 multiplying itself won’t go very far if someone or yourself get sick and can’t work for a few weeks. A sharing, caring community is great, I live in one, but it’s not a commune. We all have families that have needs and so do we and that comes first, even tho’ we love our friends and neighbors.
The artwork is bright, bold and much of it looks angry, to me. There’s great diversity in hair styles, clothing, body types, sizes, skin tones and differently abled people are represented. A big mix of type font sizes and styles along with using boxes, colors, splashes, swirls, etc. set the information off and help make it easy to find again.
A bunch of activities are included for those who are interested and inspired to be more involved in specific areas. You might want a notebook to keep track of your responses to questions the author asks along the way; there are many of them.
All things considered, the good stuff is tainted by politics and bias gone wrong📚
June 22, 2023
This Book Will Save the Planet is an excellent little primer on climate justice. Honestly, I often feel frustrated by climate change primers that are focused on individual action, with tepid takes like "ban straws" or "go vegan." This book absolutely does not do that! It lays the blame of climate change where it clearly belongs, with corporations and billionaires who have destroyed our planet for profit. It also recognises that it is the most oppressed among us (especially the Global South, BIPOC, and disabled people) who are likely to be hit hardest by climate change and be less likely to make the kinds of individual choices that privileged climate activists often advocate for. It isn't that it's sharing groundbreaking information--many of us are aware of these things already--rather that it's a rare example of a primer that addresses these issues clearly and concisely for those who haven't had as many opportunities to learn. It also has some very practical advice for individual and communal efforts that we can make to facilitate change, including some ideas I hadn't personally considered. It's a short book, so it can't cover everything, but as a primer it does everything it needed to do.
Overall, I definitely recommend this book to anyone (ages 10+, with a note that while there is advanced vocabulary there is also a glossary at the end) who is looking for an introduction to the ideas surrounding climate justice. Anyone who has ever thought that not only do we need to stop climate change, we need to do it in a way that helps rather than harms the most marginalised individuals and communities, will find that this is a primer with great information and practical advice. Highly recommended!
Overall, I definitely recommend this book to anyone (ages 10+, with a note that while there is advanced vocabulary there is also a glossary at the end) who is looking for an introduction to the ideas surrounding climate justice. Anyone who has ever thought that not only do we need to stop climate change, we need to do it in a way that helps rather than harms the most marginalised individuals and communities, will find that this is a primer with great information and practical advice. Highly recommended!
September 27, 2022
The Climate Crisis is something we have all heard about, but how much do you really understand about the issues that are causing it and what we can do to save our planet?
I have to say, I learnt things from this book about Climate Justice and social issues that underpin how we are treating our planet and causing such devastating damage.
It made me think about how our race, gender, if we live with a disability and socio-economic status affects how we experience the results of climate change -we see the big results of climate change on the news every day, but what about the smaller, every day disasters that are impacting the lives of communities all around the world that don't get any news time?
I think this is a book that will appeal to teen readers who want to know more the Climate Crisis and want to do more to help ensure the survival of ourselves and our planet.
This book breaks issues down into easily readable and understandable chapters, with suggested activities to start us thinking about how we can be part of the change.
A great starting point for those who want to learn more.
This Book Will Save the Planet will be available to borrow from the school library early Term 4.
Thanks to Allen & Unwin for the review copy of this book.
I have to say, I learnt things from this book about Climate Justice and social issues that underpin how we are treating our planet and causing such devastating damage.
It made me think about how our race, gender, if we live with a disability and socio-economic status affects how we experience the results of climate change -we see the big results of climate change on the news every day, but what about the smaller, every day disasters that are impacting the lives of communities all around the world that don't get any news time?
I think this is a book that will appeal to teen readers who want to know more the Climate Crisis and want to do more to help ensure the survival of ourselves and our planet.
This book breaks issues down into easily readable and understandable chapters, with suggested activities to start us thinking about how we can be part of the change.
A great starting point for those who want to learn more.
This Book Will Save the Planet will be available to borrow from the school library early Term 4.
Thanks to Allen & Unwin for the review copy of this book.
June 6, 2023
I must admit that I did not read this entire book but I did skim enough of it to understand the style and direction of the book. Certainly, my elementary students are not ready for this book, nor most of their parents given where I teach. I must admit that I did not see a connection between racial justice and climate change until I read just a few chapters of this book. The authors make a clear connection between the two and talk about how we must work at both to help "save the planet." I do think the writing style is very blunt, which is fine for me but I am open to this way of thinking. I believe that it might turn off a number of readers but one book cannot be everything to everyone. I appreciate being shown a number of the problems and will look to this book again to learn more and move forward in ways that are suggested.
June 15, 2022
The fact this considers dumping race politics on to the climate change issues to such an extent it wants to brainwash young people with friendly terms like "heteropatriarchy" before even discussing sources of greenhouse gases leaves a sour taste in the mouth. In fact, a lot of this did. Let's face it, the planet is gubbered – so let's drag politics over it like a ton of mattresses over a pea and see if we can still feel what matters. And not just any politics, no – this far left screed seems of the opinion you have to practically be a commie to care for the environment. Painfully bad, and due the one star rating all such deleterious tripe deserves.
June 16, 2023
3.5 stars
Focusing on the issues of climate change from an activist and equity lens, this book looks at how systemic racism and systems unequally impact different people as our climate changes. The author takes big corporations to task but also gives individuals ideas for how to speak up and work towards solutions for our planet.
The colorful pages are fun but it makes the print difficult to read. Also, it's a pretty big claim to make that this book will save the planet. I get that it makes a catchy title and it definitely has ideas for change that will make a big difference, but the book will not be doing the saving; it's people and especially corporations who need to change.
Focusing on the issues of climate change from an activist and equity lens, this book looks at how systemic racism and systems unequally impact different people as our climate changes. The author takes big corporations to task but also gives individuals ideas for how to speak up and work towards solutions for our planet.
The colorful pages are fun but it makes the print difficult to read. Also, it's a pretty big claim to make that this book will save the planet. I get that it makes a catchy title and it definitely has ideas for change that will make a big difference, but the book will not be doing the saving; it's people and especially corporations who need to change.
September 9, 2022
As the full title of the book says, this is a primer to help someone get into and further their own activities when it comes to climate justice.
Split into multiple chapters, they cover various topics, from what climate change is to what is causing it and how it affects people around the world, relating real, sourced stories to illustrate the point. At the end of most chapters is an activity to help the reader get up and start helping with what is happening around the world and in their local neighborhoods.
The writing flows fast. The target audience shouldn't have much, if any, problems reading the book. Also, every page is covered with colorful illustrations. Some represent what is being talked about in the chapter/on the page, while others are more to help show community and to give life to the page.
As a primer, it does its job. However, someone who is already climate-minded will already be educated enough to find this repetitive and bare bones for themselves.
Split into multiple chapters, they cover various topics, from what climate change is to what is causing it and how it affects people around the world, relating real, sourced stories to illustrate the point. At the end of most chapters is an activity to help the reader get up and start helping with what is happening around the world and in their local neighborhoods.
The writing flows fast. The target audience shouldn't have much, if any, problems reading the book. Also, every page is covered with colorful illustrations. Some represent what is being talked about in the chapter/on the page, while others are more to help show community and to give life to the page.
As a primer, it does its job. However, someone who is already climate-minded will already be educated enough to find this repetitive and bare bones for themselves.
September 5, 2023
Read this in book form from the library. I was hopeful with this one. Colorful vibrant images, and directed towards young people. But the language was hard to follow and not enough was defined, for the young folks. While I am sure all mentioned is true, solutions were far too vague for young people to follow. Great idea, poorly executed.
June 3, 2024
The information was great. So much was packed into this little book. However, I always get really cynical after reading books like this. Like, am I even able to do anything to help? It's important to remember that reading this information causes the fire to roar. More people need to be angry about how the government and billionaires treat us. We CAN take them down.
October 9, 2024
As much as the author wrote this book for kids I did enjoy reading it. I loved the illustrations and as a new climate and environmental justice advocate I find myself using this book as a reference often. It definitely radicalized me to include intersectionality in my everyday thoughts and simplified environmental concepts.
August 22, 2022
such an amazing and educational book! i really liked the illustrations along with the text. it was easy to understand yet had lots of information. i took many notes that i hope to look back on to remind me to try and create a community that would withstand the climate crisis.
Want to Read
May 2, 2022Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book from the publisher through Edelweiss.
March 28, 2023
The book deals with different ways we can take of our planet It also deals nicely with climate change and racism. Thank you the author, the pubisher, and Netgalley for sending me this e-ARC.
August 26, 2023
less accessible than the others in the series
June 25, 2023
This accessible primer to climate action is a great read & resource. I read a copy from the library prior to purchasing for my niece. It will be important to follow up with her about terminology and the writing prompts through out the book to check her understanding of some concepts. There is a glossary and also a reading list for further exploration.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews