Environmental Challenges & Activism

When John Muir and President Theodore Roosevelt posed at Glacier Point during their 1903 Yosemite camping trip, the challenge for environmentalism seemed achievable if difficult: preserving wilderness. Both men faced powerful opponents, but by the time Roosevelt left office, thousands of acres had been set aside for national parks and forests as well as for wildlife preserves.

One hundred years later, environmental concerns and potential solutions are much more complex. Wilderness reclamation, pesticide use, endangered-species preservation, global warming, alternate energy sources, and other topics compete for attention. Debates about priorities and strategies exist among environmental groups as well as within society as a whole.

Because today's students will be affected directly by the action or inaction taken on these issues, they need to understand what has been tried and what needs to be done. Biographies of pioneers such as Muir as well as contemporary activists around the world show that people from many backgrounds can contribute to solving environmental problems. Titles such as Kids Who Make a Difference by Gary Chandler and Kevin Graham demonstrate that young people also have a role to play. Such works can encourage action within schools and communities. Yet, many books, particularly for older readers, make clear that environmental activism may exact a price from those who champion various causes. Novels like David Klass's California Blue can generate discussion about issues such as job loss versus endangered-species protection.

Whether students are researching environmental topics for an assignment or actively seeking ways to become involved in environmental issues, the titles considered here will help them understand that the future is influenced by the actions we all take today.—Kathy Piehl

Fiction

DEFELICE, Cynthia. Lostman's River. Macmillan. 1994.
Gr 5-8–Tyler MacCauley has reservations about guiding a scientist to a hidden rookery in the Everglades, but he agrees because his family needs the money. He is horrified when the man shoots birds for research specimens. After plume hunters murder the scientist, Tyler must flee for his life. This fast-paced adventure set in the early 1900s provides material for discussion about personal choices affecting the environment.

HIAASEN, Carl. Hoot. Knopf/Borzoi. 2002.
Gr 5-8–Hiaasen combines humor with environmental concerns. Newly arrived Florida resident Roy Eberhardt tries to outwit a middle-school bully. However, his personal conflict recedes in importance after he follows a mysterious boy who is barefoot and discovers that he is attempting to stop construction work that threatens a colony of burrowing owls. Interlinking subplots keep the action percolating. Audiobook available from Listening Library.

Nonfiction

BYRNES, Patricia. Environmental Pioneers. Oliver. 1998.
Gr 6-10–Following an overview of the U.S. environmental movement, Byrnes profiles nine individuals who contributed to conservation. Among the more unusual stories is that of Jay "Ding" Darling, a cartoonist who fostered wildlife management through the Duck Stamp program. More familiar subjects include Aldo Leopold and Gaylord Nelson. Small black-and-white photos of the people and the areas they worked to save are included.

CHANDLER, Gary & Kevin Graham. Kids Who Make a Difference. 21st Century Bks. 1996.
Gr 4-8–This exploration of environmental initiatives by elementary and high school students demonstrates that young people can have a national as well as local impact. Brief chapters highlighting the work of individuals and groups are divided into four sections that address influencing businesses, undertaking conservation projects, spreading news about environmental issues, and contacting lawmakers. Photographs show the young people in action, from planting trees to addressing the U.S. Senate.

CONE, Molly. Come Back, Salmon. Sierra Club. 1992.
Gr 4-6–Students in Everett, WA, adopted a rubbish-clogged creek with the hope of having salmon return to spawn. Cone documents their hard work in removing trash and convincing townspeople to stop polluting. After two years, their efforts were rewarded. This book provides lots of information about salmon and plenty of encouragement for undertaking sustained projects.

JACKSON, Donna M. The Wildlife Detectives: How Forensic Scientists Fight Crimes Against Nature. photos. by Wendy Shattil & Bob Rozinski. Houghton. 2000.
Gr 4-8–Interest in crime-scene investigation runs high among students of all ages. In an ongoing narrative, Jackson follows the case of an elk killed in Yellowstone National Park, revealing how forensic techniques help track the poachers. In addition, she offers eight two-page "Wild Files" on related topics such as the illegal trafficking of wild animals and U.S. legislation protecting wildlife. A fine introduction to some unusual careers that benefit the environment.

KEENE, Ann T. Earthkeepers: Observers and Protectors of Nature. Oxford Univ. 1994.
Gr 5 Up–This compendium serves as an excellent resource for browsers and report writers. Brief essays introduce each of four chronological groups of biographies and provide a basic overview of environmentalism from the 18th century to the present. Photos, diagrams, and drawings accompany the three- to five-page essays about 44 naturalists. Dozens more are introduced in shorter entries.

LASKY, Kathryn. Interrupted Journey: Saving Endangered Sea Turtles. photos. by Christopher G. Knight. Candlewick. 2001.
Gr 3-6–This engaging photo-essay documents how people thousands of miles apart work together to preserve the Kemp's ridley turtle. After females lay eggs on a gulf beach, workers, including children, protect them and monitor the hatchlings' arduous trip to the ocean. Young turtles that swim too far north are rescued and healed in New England before being flown to Florida and reintroduced to warm seas. The final panorama of hatchlings reaching their watery home eloquently reveals the results of these efforts.

NEEDHAM, Bobbe. Ecology Crafts for Kids. Sterling. 1998.
Gr 4-8–Although it has plenty of photographs and step-by-step directions for a wide variety of activities and crafts, this book is much more than an instruction manual. Needham connects the activity to the environment and suggests ways to get involved at local and national levels. Creative ideas to encourage reuse and recycling range from developing a backyard wetland to making bottle gardens.

OSTOPOWICH, Melanie. Greenpeace. Weigl. 2002.
Gr 4-7–Although a number of books offer profiles of environmentalists, this volume introduces an organization that has always stressed direct action despite potential controversy. Ostopowich outlines the group's history from its origins in 1971; provides highlights of campaigns such as efforts to save the whales, preserve Antarctica, and block nuclear weapons testing; and suggests ways in which students can get involved in environmental activism in general and Greenpeace initiatives in particular.

PALADINO, Catherine. One Good Apple. photos. by author. Houghton. 1999.
Gr 4-8–Despite Rachel Carson's warnings more than 40 years ago about pesticide use, most fruits and vegetables sold today are raised on farms that use chemicals. Paladino explains various aspects of organic farming and introduces farmers who use these alternative methods. Suggestions of ways readers can participate in the organic movement follow these explanations. Numerous color photographs illustrate some approaches, such as using ladybugs and compost.

PATENT, Dorothy Hinshaw. Back to the Wild. photos. by William Muñoz. Harcourt. 1997.
Gr 4-7–Although captive breeding programs offer the promise of preserving some endangered species, they involve significant costs and problems, particularly in reintroducing animals to the wild. Patent explores four projects in U.S. zoos and research centers that have had varying degrees of success with red wolves, black-footed ferrets, golden lion tamarins, and lemurs. Color photographs show life in captivity and in the wild.

PRINGLE, Laurence. The Environmental Movement: From Its Roots to the Challenges of a New Century. HarperCollins. 2000.
Gr 5 Up–Pringle's history includes information about people and organizations that have influenced citizen action and government policy. He notes differences of opinion and tactics among environmentalists and documents failures as well as successes. A fine overview for students new to the topic.

SALMANSOHN, Pete & Stephen W. Kress. Saving Birds: Heroes around the World. Tilbury House. 2003.
Gr 3-6–Striking photographs help document how environmentalists undertake daring operations to keep dwindling bird populations alive across the globe. Among the six stories included here are efforts to save black robins of New Zealand, quetzals of Mexico, and black-necked cranes of China. The accounts of scientists and volunteers remind students that environmentalism is not confined to the United States.

SIRCH, Willow Ann. Eco-Women: Protectors of the Earth. Fulcrum. 1996.
Gr 4-7–Compelling writing and intriguing subjects compensate for an uninspired visual presentation. Familiar figures such as Rachel Carson and Jane Goodall are joined by Barbara Kerr, inventor of the solar box cooker; Wangari Maathia, pioneer in Kenya's Green Belt Movement; and others whose influence extends worldwide. Suggestions for ways readers can learn more about the environmentalists' activities and participate themselves follow the profiles.

SWINBURNE, Stephen R. Once a Wolf: How Wildlife Biologists Fought to Bring Back the Gray Wolf. photos. by Jim Brandenburg. Houghton. 1999.
Gr 4-8–Human attempts to eliminate an "undesirable" animal often have serious consequences. Swinburne discusses how people's misconceptions about and fears of wolves almost led to their extinction. After scientific studies resulted in the realization of the wolves' important place in the ecosystem, advocates worked tirelessly to return them to Yellowstone Park. Numerous photos document the struggle to reintroduce these animals to the wild.

Fiction

KLASS, David. California Blue. Scholastic. 1994.
Gr 7 Up–John Rodgers's discovery of a rare butterfly on lumber company property threatens the economic security of his northern California town. The psychological and physical abuse he suffers for his environmental stand is intensified by his personal struggle with his father. A football hero and logger who has always found fault with his son, Mr. Rodgers has terminal cancer. Klass offers no easy answers to environmental or personal battles.

TAYLOR, Theodore. The Weirdo. Harcourt. 1991.
Gr 9 Up–Participating in a research project tracking bears in Powhatan swamp, a wildlife refuge, gives Chip Clewt a sense of purpose. Disfigured in an accident, he has avoided human contact. After the researcher he works for is killed by a poacher, Chip speaks out against community members eager to resume bear hunting. He finds unexpected support from Samantha Sanders, the daughter of an avid hunter. Mystery and romance combined with ecology result in a fast-paced read.

Nonfiction

ARCHER, Jules. To Save the Earth: The American Environmental Movement. Viking. 1998.
Gr 7 Up–Archer offers compelling accounts of the pioneering efforts of John Muir and Rachel Carson and the more radical tactics of David McTaggart of Greenpeace and Dave Foreman, founder of Earth First! A short history of the environmental movement and an overview of the current situation encourage readers to keep the issues at the forefront of public consciousness.

BARTON, Greg. American Environmentalism. Gale/Greenhaven. 2002.
Gr 9 Up–Changing viewpoints about conservation and the environment are documented in these excerpts from the writings of politicians, naturalists, historians, and others. Brief introductions provide a context for the 22 selections that include works by Theodore Roosevelt, Al Gore, Jr., Henry David Thoreau, and E. F. Schumacher. A good starting point to gain background information about environmental issues.

BROWER, David. Let the Mountains Talk, Let the Rivers Run. HarperCollins. 1995.
Adult/High School–Under Brower's leadership, the Sierra Club's membership swelled, and the group won major political victories during the 1960s. After the organization's board ousted him for his aggressive stands, he founded Friends of the Earth. At age 82, he maintains his passionate outlook, as revealed in this series of essays. He chides current environmental groups for their lack of boldness and presents ideas about ways citizens can be involved in CPR (Conservation, Preservation and Restoration) of the Earth.

CARSON, Rachel. Silent Spring. Houghton. 1962.
Adult/High School–When Carson's exposé of the danger of DDT and other pesticides was published 40 years ago, corporations attacked her work. But her message about the threats to health galvanized the public and spurred grassroots organizing to ban pesticides. This landmark document of the environmental movement demonstrates how clear, informed, and passionate writing can inspire people to action.

The Complete Guide to Environmental Careers in the 21st Century. Island Pr. 1998.
Adult/High School–Anyone interested in making environmental activism a profession as well as an avocation might want to consult this volume. The usual career guide information about topics such as educational requirements, salary, and working conditions is supplemented by interviews, case studies, and lists of resources. Careers are grouped by categories such as "Water Quality Management" and "Parks and Outdoor Recreation."

DUDLEY, William. The Environment. Gale/Greenhaven. 2001.
Gr 9 Up–Introductory comments and questions before each selection help students consider a wide range of issues. Divergent views are presented on whether an environmental crisis exists, how the American way of life affects the environment, and what American policy should be.

EHRLICH, Gretel. John Muir: Nature's Visionary. National Geographic. 2000.
Adult/High School–Ehrlich incorporates excerpts from Muir's own writing into a biography that reveals the naturalist's lifelong passion for wilderness. Magnificent photos introduce readers to Yosemite and the many other areas Muir was instrumental in convincing politicians to preserve. More than 100 years after the naturalist served as the Sierra Club's first president, his life and writings continue to inspire environmentalists.

GRAHAM, Kevin. Contemporary Environmentalists. Facts On File. 1996.
Gr 8 Up–Introductions to the life and work of 10 environmentalists remind readers that problems and solutions exist around the world. Vo Quy's work to restore Vietnam's forests, Neca Marcovaldi's sea turtle conservation project in Brazil, and Thomas Odhiambo's efforts to reduce pesticide use in Africa are among the projects described.

HAYES, Denis. The Official Earth Day Guide to Planet Repair. Island Pr. 2000.
Adult/High School–After discussing the causes and threats of global warming and urging governmental action, Hayes suggests steps that individuals can take to reduce greenhouse emissions and describes energy-saving measures related to transportation and household operations. However, he emphasizes citizen involvement, noting that "personal choices are not a substitute for political action."

HILL, Julia Butterfly. The Legacy of Luna. HarperCollins. 2000.
Adult/High School–To stop Pacific Lumber's plans to clear-cut a redwood forest, Hill spent more than two years high in the branches of a tree she named Luna. Her account of surviving storms, cold, loneliness, and logging-company threats makes gripping reading and reveals the dangers and hardships some environmentalists endure. Her reflections about Luna and the natural world have spiritual as well as tangible dimensions.

NELSON, Gaylord. Beyond Earth Day: Fulfilling the Promise. Univ. of Wisconsin. 2002.
Adult/High School–As governor of and senator from Wisconsin, Nelson championed environmental cases and was instrumental in establishing Earth Day in 1970. He assesses current threats such as population growth and global warming, considers the state of the environmental movement, and provides suggestions for initiatives that will help slow environmental degradation.

SHABECOFF, Philip. Earth Rising: American Environmentalism in the 21st Century. Island Pr. 2000.
Adult/High School–A sobering picture of the declining influence and effectiveness of the U.S. environmental movement. Shabecoff recommends strategies for increased fund-raising, organizational cooperation, recruitment of new constituencies, and expanded political involvement. Young adults who want to play a role in 21st-century environmental initiatives will appreciate his insights.