Phil Gutis's Blog
A Down-to-Earth Guide to Global Warming
October 14, 2007
Posted by Phil Gutis in Living Sustainably , Solving Global Warming , The Media and the Environment
I'm guessing that NRDC Trustee Laurie David has been called many things over the years, but shy is probably not one of them. That's why it isn't all that surprising to see The New York Times Book Review describe Laurie's new children's book -- The Down-to-Earth Guide to Global Warming -- as one that adamantly refuses to shy away from the facts of global warming.
The Times reviewer, Hank Green, says the new book, published by Orchard Books and Scholastic and co-authored with Cambria Gordon, actually makes global warming easy to understand.
"The details of global warming boggle some of the world's finest minds," Green writes, adding that he's "never seen a more comprehensive of the phenomenon in so few words."
"The authors may reach a bit when they try to sound less square, likening the buying of compact fluorescent light bulbs to "an upgrade on your iTunes software," notes Green, editor in chief of EcoGeek.org, an environmental technology blog.
"But they make the science relevant and enjoyable with abundant visuals and conclude with some meaty ways for kids to make a difference," he said. "The old standbys are all there (switch light bulbs, recycle, use canvas bags at the grocery store). But I smiled on noticing something new: the authors suggest some "sustainable careers" kids can consider, like meteorologist and 'glacial geologist.'"
Laurie has devoted herself to reversing global warming and has done so with the force of a category five hurricane. She was a producer of Inconvenient Truth, the Oscar-winning global warming documentary featuring Nobel Prize Winner Al Gore. She is the creator of StopGlobalWarming.org and its virtual march that has enlisted 898,330 supporters. She is also behind Too Hot Not To Handle, an HBO special on global warming, and "Earth to America," perhaps the first-and-only comedy special on global warming.
I can only imagine what Laurie has lined up next to bring attention to global warming. I do know with complete certainty, however, that she won't shy away from the facts or anyone who disputes them. Let's be glad that she's on our side.
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