CLIMATE IS JUST THE START

A climate activist calls for action.

Loach, author of the adult bestseller It’s Not That Radical (2023), restates her argument in this title for younger readers. Acknowledging that many kids and teens are rightfully disturbed by global warming and other injustices, she uses understandable metaphors, a conversational tone, and relatable stories to encourage them to listen to their feelings, imagine a better world, and work to make a difference. A Jamaican immigrant who now lives in England, Loach discusses how her own identity as a Black woman informs her work and beliefs; notably, she teases out systems of oppression such as white supremacy, colonialism, and capitalism as she stresses that the impacts of climate change disproportionately affect those living in the Global South. As bleak as things may seem, her passion is evident as she urges readers to “fight against fossil fuels, against exploitation, against capitalism, and for a world where we all live in dignity.” She decries consumerism, explores how the burning of fossil fuels has resulted in disappearing beaches, and pushes readers to organize for change. Her vision may seem radical to some, but, as she points out, “Lots of things that most people now would find ridiculous used to be accepted.” Infographics break up the text, and the book concludes with an appendix of resources and glossary (unseen). Final art not seen.

A rousing appeal for those concerned about the state of the world.