Fiction
Earthgirl by Jennifer Cowan (Groundwood Books, 2009)
The theme of a teen girl facing animosity from her family and peers for her choices is nothing new, but 16-year old Sabine is standing up for her individuality and her planet. After a smack in the face with a “McFatty Meal”, Sabine’s newfound persona and desire to ask eco-conscious questions encompasses a new awareness for the environment through self- education and picking the brain of her teenage heartthrob. A light, fun novel that incorporates music and a plethora of eco- friendly facts and resources, Jennifer Cowan provides a unique and relevant perspective in the YA realm.
Destroy All Cars by Blake Nelson (Scholastic Press, 2009)
Destroy All Cars is written as a journal full of American consumer angst with a laid in love story by 17-year old James Hoff. His passion is not entirely irrational, and his perspective has an idealistic wittiness that focuses on the kind of attitude it takes to really change the world. Blake Nelson is known to write humorous YA lit that falls against the grain, and his poking fun at consumerist culture through an autonomous teen conveys some subtle insight to the consequences that we have to face from the gas guzzling SUVs and mall addicts that roam our part of the world.
Non-Fiction
The Consumer’s Guide to Effective Environmental Choices by Michael Brower and Warren Leon (Three Rivers Press, 1999)
For those disheartened about the current state of the environment, The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) compiled an informative guide that ranges from topics of the history of trash to everyday choices one can make to reduce their carbon footprint. Whether its choosing to eat organically, riding a bicycle, or deciding to rid the use of disposable containers, the proven research and statistics supplied with describable solutions provide realistic and digestible advice that allow teens to consider their everyday choices.
Weird Weather: Everything You Didn't Want to Know About Climate Change But Probably Should Find Out by Kate Evans (Groundwood Books, 2007)
Written as a graphic novel featuring the perspectives of a discontented teenager, a kooky mad scientist, and overweight suit-clad man with a corporate agenda, Weird Weather is a fact driven, visually appealing way to get young people turned onto the issues of climate change. Every page of the slim graphic novel is packed corner to corner with expressive dialogue, solid statistics, sporadic caricatures, and extensive endnotes that provide readers with resources for further exploration. The book elaborates on complicated topics of global warming and reconciles one’s feeling of insignificance. Like other books about climate change, the solutions are repetitive, but conveyed in a distinctive YA format.
An Inconvenient Truth: The Crisis of Global Warming by Al Gore (Viking Juvenile, 2007)
As the most iconic advocate for global warming, Al Gore’s young reader’s version simply covers all the major points of his arguments presented in the 2006 adult book and documentary with the addition of visually captivating charts and photos. Although attractively presented, the book fails to provide technical data or scientific research to defend the claims. Nonetheless, the book provides a simple overview with an interesting enough fact basis where teens can conjure up a thesis or starting point of reference to conduct further research.
The Penguin Atlas of Food: Who Eats What, Where, and Why by Eric Millstone and Tim Lang (Penguin, 2003)
This atlas is a visually detailed reference guide to the planet’s consumption, farming, trade, and future challenges that deal with every country’s relationship with food. Each page contains charts and maps that emphasize different food related issues from animal transportation to under nutrition to money spent on advertising. Each country is labeled by a shade of color depicting the percentages that are representative of their impact. Penguin Books is known for their attractive graphics and format, and they succeed at publishing a scholarly reference guide for teens to learn the socioeconomic role and challenges of food.
Film
Manufactured Landscapes (Zeitgeist Films, 2007) - DVD format
This award-winning documentary is presented more as an artfully induced film rather than a culture criticizing commentary. The scenes documented by Edward Burtynsky, a renowned photographer, are not only stunning, but provide a glimpse into the different landscapes of various countries that have been transformed by industrialization. The views into the factories where trinkets are meticulously built to the toxic landfills where e-waste is disposed provides a relentless perspective that would be otherwise unseen to a consumer driven population.
No Impact Man (Oscilloscope Laboratories, 2010) - DVD format
No Impact Man is poignant and at-times humorous film that documents what happens when an environmental liberal becomes tired of complaining and decides to live out his ideals. The film features his New York City family and their gradual struggle to live off the grid and reduce their carbon footprints to nil. The film gives an interesting prospective to the effort and resilience involved in such an idealistic endeavor, as well as highlights the habits that have been instilled in our culture. The website* also provides a free educational supplement that aims to connect students to their environment.
* http://noimpactproject.org/educators-middle-high-school-environment-curriculum-html/
Websites
http://www.eco-company.tv/
One way for eco- aware teens to flex their creativity, while becoming advocates amongst their peers is through Eco Company. As an online video streaming site, as well as a national TV show, it is an interactive way for teens to learn about all aspects of making a positive impact on the environment through submitting their own videos about what they do to conserve and live sustainably. The website features videos on topics ranging from renewable energy to organics and transportation made for teens by teens.
http://www.dosomething.org/
When young people feel the need to make a change, “Do something” is a site that shows how every little bit of action helps. The site promotes a number of humane and eco-friendly activities ranging from interactive games, videos, news, as well as a menu for users to “Act Now!” and customize the cause, the number of people or type of organization involved, the place, and the time duration that they wish to volunteer for. Here teens can learn about the issues they are passionate about, find ways to act on them, and learn about or join the organizations of their cause. The site also provides grant money for teens that know how to put their ideas to use.
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