Meltdown

A book review of Meltdown: Discover Earth’s Irreplaceable Glaciers and Learn What You Can Do To Save Them by Anita Sanchez

Stars: *****

Workman Publishing (2022)
Climate Change
118 pages

Disclosure: I received this book in exchange for an honest review. This post contains affiliate links.

Summary: Meet the glaciers—before they disappear. Meltdown: Discover Earth’s Irreplaceable Glaciers and Learn What You Can Do to Save Them is a kids’ guide to the glorious but endangered world of glaciers. Glaciers may not be as well-known as rain forests or coral reefs, but they are just as vital to the health of the planet, and just as threatened by climate change.
           
Packed with information, grounded in the latest science, with lively writing and illustrations throughout (including graphs, charts, infographics, photographs, and full-page art), Meltdown gives readers an eye-opening overview of glaciers and how important they are: There are over 100,000 glaciers covering 10% of earth’s landmass, that hold almost three-quarters of the planet’s fresh water, and act as protective shields to cool the atmosphere and combat climate change. We learn how glaciers were formed (some over two million years ago), how they move and carve the planet’s landscape, and how scientists study them (the bluer the ice, the older it is). We learn the secrets of earth’s climate history hidden deep in a glacier’s core—and discover how climate change is causing glaciers to melt at unprecedented rates, putting the health of the planet in jeopardy. 
           
But we are not left without hope. The final chapter offers positive steps readers can take to become climate activists, reduce their carbon footprint, and save the glaciers.

Meltdown

The book starts off explaining glaciers and their role in our ecosystem aka why they are important. It’s very thorough and detailed and includes lots of things I didn’t know. The pages are full-colour and include sidebars and illustrations that further explain what is being taught.

The following chapters cover what has been prompting the climate to change such as fossil fuels and rising population. After a few more chapters, the discussion is about what a world without glaciers would be like aka what will happen if we don’t change course.

Finally the book talks about what we can do about climate change. Actionable steps are given. This is important because just talking about a problem isn’t enough.

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