IT'S GETTING HOT IN HERE

A comprehensive introduction to the scientific history and current understandings about climate change.

Heos opens her well-organized presentation with a strong statement of the reasons readers need to know about this issue: “Scientists agree that human-induced global warming is well under way, and that it is cause for great concern.” Chapter by chapter, she explains what climate is, describes its changing nature since Earth's beginnings, tells how scientists have determined that Earth is warming again, this time as a result of human actions, and suggests reasons for humans’ lack of response. Each chapter ends with tips on how to “Be the Change,” suggesting what readers can do personally to assess their own energy use; reduce household, fuel, agricultural, industrial, and waste emissions; and spread the word. A concluding section offers further and larger-scale solutions. Even the design of this well-thought-out briefing will remind readers that things are heating up: page numbers are set on red circles; almost every spread includes a red-bordered photograph or other graphic; and the suggestions to take action are printed in white on a red background. Many of the author’s sources, listed in an extensive bibliography, are available online. Determined readers can find and follow them up, but most of her revealing statistics are not footnoted.

“Rooted in science” and offering teen readers tools for individual action, this is a necessary purchase for most libraries.