We Are the Weather Makers: The History of Climate Change [Hardcover]

Sally M. Walker (Adapter), Tim Flannery (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 13, 2009

Every young person who cares about preserving the planet needs to know what’s inside this book — and follow the authors’ call to action.

First published for an adult readership, THE WEATHER MAKERS received critical kudos for its solid science and powerful message. Now this accessible new edition speaks directly to young adults, offering a clear look at the history of climate change, how it will unfold over the next
century, and what we can do to prevent a cataclysmic future. Here is an immediate and hard-hitting look backward — and forward — in climate history, bolstered by models and projections of current data. It includes interviews with people whose livelihoods have been directly affected by climate change, as well as individuals who make new technology and renewable resources a part of daily life. Newly featured are twenty-five practical tips that give readers the tools for living a greener lifestyle — at home, in school, in the community, and ultimately, on Earth.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 9 Up—This adaptation of Flannery's 2005 adult publication shows the results of meticulous research and superb grounding in scientific facts. It lays out, in great detail, the ways in which humans have changed our weather and the possible outcomes for us and our planet if we continue as we are going. Clearly labeled illustrations accompany difficult concepts and greatly aid in understanding the sometimes-complicated climate models. Each chapter ends with a "Call to Action" describing how humans can make relatively simple changes in our lifestyle to reduce our impact on the planet. Yet, despite the many great aspects of this book, one issue clearly reduces its usefulness. The research and issues surrounding global warming are changing at an incredible pace and the adaptation presented here, while doing some updates, is not sufficiently current. For example, Chapter 22 covers the Kyoto Protocol, which, though mightily relevant in 2005, is being eclipsed by the upcoming Copenhagen (December 2009) conference, where the United States is poised to play a much more involved role. The Copenhagen Climate Conference is not mentioned. Some of the research on animals (harp seals, for example) that are endangered does not update past 2005. Additionally, the sections entitled "Call to Action" are often aimed at adults rather than teens. Not many teens will be weatherproofing their homes, checking water heaters, or buying new appliances—just yet anyway—and this disconnect is jarring.—Denise Schmidt, San Francisco Public Library, CA
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

Adapted by award-winning science writer Walker, this youth edition of Flannery’s adult title, The Weather Makers (2005), speaks straight to “the generation who will act on global warming” about the realities of climate change and the devastating consequences if humans don’t alter their behavior to protect Earth’s atmosphere, its “great aerial ocean.” The language is both blander and more direct than in Flannery’s adult book: an opening section originally titled “Gaia’s Tools” has been changed to “Earth’s Carbon Cycle and You,” for example. What remains are the lucid explanations of science, illustrated with numerous examples, including many chosen specifically for this youth edition; and each chapter ends with suggested ways that young people can reduce the carbon emissions in their homes, schools, and communities. Unfortunately, the dull format, featuring grainy, dim, black-and-white photos and cramped charts and maps, isn’t a great advertisement for the eco-friendly printing process that produced this book; but the comprehensive coverage of issues and urgent call to action make this a must-have resource for both school and public libraries. Grades 7-12. --Gillian Engberg

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 14 and up
  
• Hardcover: 320 pages
• Publisher: Candlewick (October 13, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0763636568
• ISBN-13: 978-0763636562
• Product Dimensions: 6.4 x 1 x 9.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,221,745 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3.0 out of 5 stars some difficult reading, but well worth time, March 4, 2010

By 

Flamingnet Teen Book Reviews "FLAMINGNET COM" (Baltimore, Maryland USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: We Are the Weather Makers: The History of Climate Change (Hardcover)

I have recently read We are the Weather Makers by Tim
Flannery. This book is an expository selection about the
history of climate change, past effects of it, future
events to come as a response to global warming, and what we
are going to do about it. The book consists of three parts,
all of which I have read. Part One, Earth and the Carbon
Connection, is about the history of climate change. Part
two, Endangered Habitats, is about species of plants and
animals that have been driven extinct as a consequence of
global warming, and species that are going to if the rate
it is developing stays the same. Part three, What's to
Come?, is about what could happen to our planet, how
scientists figured this out, and multiple solutions to
climate change and their pros and cons. One feature in this
book that I adored was the Call to Actions. They were at
the end of each chapter, and were things that young adults
could do to help this problem in our own homes and
hometowns.

I rated part one three out of ten, because
although effective in getting the little points and big
picture around to me, it went about doing that in a boring
way. There are a lot of long scientific words to be
memorized and, you have to reread almost the whole thing
from time to time. Often I would find myself reading a
paragraph in it three or four times before I got what it
was saying! I rate the second part an eight out of ten.
This was my favorite part of the book. It wasn't boring,
it vividly described what happened/would happen in the
future to threatened species, and rereading was minimal for
me. I rated the third and final part six out of ten. It had
some boring parts, and some parts I had to reread, but it
also had some really interesting chapters about renewable
energy, environmentally safe cars, nuclear power plants,
and groups that have taken action. One feature in this book
that I adored was the Call to Actions, short articles at
the end of each chapter talking about things that young
adults could do to help this global warming in our own
homes and hometowns. So overall, the first part is
horrible, although I ensure it is worth your time to fully
read parts two and three, and read all the Call to Actions!

Reviewed by a young adult student reviewer
Flamingnet Book Reviews
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1 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Courtesy of Teens Read Too, November 12, 2009

By 

TeensReadToo "Eat. Drink. Read. Be Merrier." (All Over the US & Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: We Are the Weather Makers: The History of Climate Change (Hardcover)

WE ARE THE WEATHER MAKERS is a great book for pre-teens and teens to learn about our climate and how it is changing.

Starting out with how the carbon cycle works and how to learn to offset your carbon footprint, to sustainable energy sources such as the sun and wind power - this book covers it all.

If you want to teach your children to be responsible and help fix our ailing planet, then this book is for you.

Filled with a lot of information and examples of ways that other kids have helped make a change, it is a great tool for either the classroom or at home.

Reviewed by: Angela S.