Environmental Impact Reviews

What Is the Impact of Climate Change?: ISBN 978-1-68282-859-5 / eBook: 978-1-68282-860-1
What Is the Impact of Declining Biodiversity?: ISBN 978-1-68282-861-8 / eBook: 978-1-68282-862-5
What Is the Impact of Excessive Waste and Garbage?: ISBN 978-1-68282-863-2 / eBook: 978-1-68282-864-9
What Is the Impact of Ocean Pollution?: ISBN 978-1-68282-865-6 / eBook: 978-1-68282-866-3
School Library Connection, January/February, 2020

This series studies the impact of climate change, declining biodiversity, excessive waste, and ocean pollution. Each book takes a look at how each of these events impacts a different aspect of the planet and mankind, such as wildlife, coral reefs, health, farming, and natural disasters. The authors have put the topics on full display, making readers aware of the seriousness of these issues. Full-page colored photos with captions are included throughout which add an engaging element to the content and help tell the story of areas in crisis. Sidebars labeled “Impact Facts” offer statistics and little-known pieces of information which make the text more inviting for reluctant readers and researchers. Full- and half-page side bars offer additional details on the science behind each issue and offer real life examples of the chapter’s topic. Readers get a broad spectrum of information about each topic in only 80 pages. The last chapter in each title offers a solution or details ongoing efforts towards change for the issue. Researchers will find these books easy to use, and reluctant readers will enjoy the layout of the text with its large headings and well-organized information. Each title contains source notes, a list of relevant organizations and websites, picture credits, and a section about the author. Additional Resources. Index.
Karen Alexander, Library Media Specialist, Lake Fenton High School, Linden, Michigan
Recommended

What Is the Impact of Declining Biodiversity?: ISBN 978-1-68282-861-8 / eBook: 978-1-68282-862-5
Booklist, October 1, 2020

This informative entry in the new Environmental Impact series (4 titles) examines how the air, water, and land are being altered by “farming, logging, mining, oil extraction, building, and other human activities,” resulting in a loss of biodiversity from ecosystems around the world. The book defines what biodiversity is and where biodiversity hot spots are and describes how species loss affects various ecosystems. Though rather bleak, the book does highlight the climate-justice movement and governmental resolutions introduced to combat climate change, like the Green New Deal. It also discusses potential solutions like eating plant-based meat alternatives, the development of AI programs, and reforestation using drones. In the back matter are source notes, a list of organizations and websites for further research, color photos, “impact facts” sidebars, and an index. Useful for student research.
— Sharon Rawlins

Gr 6 Up—A thought-provoking look at the human impact on the world. Each title includes an introduction and five text-heavy but engaging chapters, which focus on real-world examples and stories. The first four chapters explore what is currently taking place and what is likely to happen in the future, while the fifth chapter offers possible solutions and examples of what is already being done. What Is the Impact of Climate Change? provides the results of a 2019 survey, which states that the top three emotional responses that climate change invokes in teenagers are "afraid," "motivated," and "angry." Each title in this series is likely to solicit the same emotions in readers, but they will hopefully walk away feeling motivated. Source notes, a "Make a Difference" section, a list of organizations, websites, further reading, an index, picture credits, and an "About the Author" page are included. VERDICT A necessary purchase for libraries serving teenagers.