Published by Dorling Kindersley, 2020.

I was absolutely bowled over by this book. Its creators have used the atlas format in an incredibly powerful way. More than 30 dynamic world maps dramatically convey the truths about climate change.

Several of the maps, including the one above about population growth, made me gasp out loud. The facts, when represented visually in this way, are incredibly impactful.

The various world maps show how countries compare on important issues like fossil fuel emissions, deforestation, and fast fashion consumption. The true scale of the climate problem is made scarily clear.

Maps charting shrinking polar ice, incidents of extreme weather, and recent Australian bushfires show us just how serious the problem has become.

After an initial explanation of climate change, the book is divided into three sections: the causes of climate change, the impacts of climate change, and action on climate change. Although very damning of humans and the devastation they’ve caused, the book is not entirely without hope. There are maps which show: where forests are being replanted, worldwide wind and solar energy production, and one that highlights climate protests around the world. I was encouraged to see how China is leading the way in the production of renewable energy.

There’s also a a map charting innovative new ways of leading more eco-friendly lives, and a fascinating photograph of a waste incinerator in Copenhagen which burns rubbish to generate household electricity and heat and also doubles up as a mountain sports centre with a ski slope on the roof!

This graphic atlas is an amazing visual reference book which will do much to help children (and adults) understand current events. It also contains practical advice about how we as individuals can play our part in halting climate change.

Rating: 💙💙💙💙💙

Suitable for children aged 8+

Thank you to Dorling Kindersley for sending me this book to review.