From urban design that suits the local landscape to zero-carbon living, this fascinating book looks at how cities around the world are adapting to environmental change. Readers are presented with real-life, eco-city solutions to issues such as water use in times of drought, and why green spaces matter.
Our views and opinions on many things are heavily influenced by our culture and what we see in the media. They can even shape how we see ourselves, including what is an acceptable or desirable body. Using relatable examples, this timely title explores the body image messages we receive from movies, video games, magazines, and social media, and how they affect our self-esteem.
A major societal issue in the world today, opioid addiction is causing a devastating number of deaths and is costing countries millions of dollars. This timely book includes information on the causes and effects of opioid addiction and the methods being used to combat this deadly epidemic.
Cultural beliefs surrounding illness and societal beliefs about how we should offer health care are discussed in this fascinating addition to the Our Values series. Discussions about the treatment of common diseases, as well as topics of interest, such as how a cast is made, are compared and contrasted with the way health care is provided throughout the world.
Should the Internet be a place for free thought and free sharing? Or should the government and Internet service companies be able to censor and block content? This up-to-date book will help equip readers with tangible tools to help understand the issues involved in net neutrality and encourage them to stay informed of further developments.
What are moral and legal rights and how are they recognized in our society? This engaging title explores what having “rights” means, while pointing out that we can’t have rights without also having responsibilities. A discussion about standing up for your rights will help readers understand the importance of individual rights and how they must be protected.
How many uses can you find for an old glass jam jar? This engaging book looks at the always topical issues of managing our waste in a world with finite resources. Infographic details provide ready facts such as how much energy recycling one tin can provides and what that energy can be used for.
The survival of the giant panda depends on the survival of its only food: bamboo. Habitat loss from the destruction of bamboo forests in south central China where they live made the giant panda a vulnerable species. This book tells how habitat conservation and the creation of borrowing-and-breeding programs with zoos around the world kept the beloved bear from extinction.
Climate Change is a hot-button topic today and one that requires skill to examine and grasp different viewpoints. This book introduces readers to multiple perspectives on the topic and encourages them to objectively view local, national, and global connections to help them form knowledgeable points of view.
The only remaining wild population of whooping cranes breeds in Canada and winters in the United States. The story of their recovery is a tale of cross-border cooperation and the work of a team of international biologists. Readers will be able to chart their course and determine the elements of this successful recovery plan.
Listed as a threatened species in 1975, the grizzly bears near Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming have made a remarkable recovery. Intriguing text and vibrant images will draw readers into the story of the bear's decline due to human interaction and habitat loss, and the strategies put in place that helped it return.
Long considered by humans as a threat to livestock, wolves are hunted as pests. In particular, the gray wolf has been hunted almost to extinction in parts of North America. But these keystone predators help keep an ecosystem in balance. This book details reintroduction programs that have helped populations recover—yet they still occupy only 10 percent of their historic range.
Humpback whales are a true ecological success story. Readers will be enthralled by the story of these masters of the deep, listed as endangered in 1970. Protected by an international ban on hunting all whales in 1982, the humpback recovered so well it was no longer listed as endangered in most of the world by 2016.
The American alligator, which escaped extinction 65 million years ago, was nearly wiped out in the marshes and swamps of Louisiana and Florida in the last century. Today, they are thriving. This exciting book tells the story of how government protection, habitat preservation, and a campaign to reduce the demand for alligator products helped bring back these fierce-looking predators.
Nuclear war became a reality when the United States dropped two nuclear bombs in Japan during World War II. Despite the devastating results, many countries still own nuclear weapons. This high-interest title explores how the world would end from a nuclear war. From blast waves and radiation to a nuclear winter, the detonation of multiple nuclear bombs would cause worldwide destruction. Features outline the possible chain of events and examine the fateful Fat Boy detonation. Discover the possibilities and preventative measures against nuclear war in this gripping book!
Viruses and bacteria are everywhere! They can mutate and move easily from one person to the next. Vaccines and other forms of prevention help fight these vicious pests, but pandemics have hit the world and taken out millions! In this high-interest title, a world-ending global pandemic is explored, from how it could start to how we might fight the spread. Features follow the chain reaction of the societal breakdown and jump back in time to the bubonic plagues. Are we due for another pandemic? Find out how to fight when the next one comes!
The Sun is a major component in the existence of life on Earth. Could it also bring about the end? Energy often shoots coronal mass ejections into space. A massive CME on course for Earth could cause a solar storm with devastating results! This high-interest title explores how the world could end from a solar storm, from electrical shutdowns to disastrous food shortages. Fun facts add fascinating bonus information while the look back feature provides a glimpse into a past solar storm. Find out the science behind solar storms and what we can do to save ourselves in this world-ending title!
Robots and artificial intelligence are all around us! We use them for everything from cleaning our homes to contacting our families. The technology continues to advance, but will it surpass the intelligence of humans? If it does, will AI be our friend or foe? In this high-interest title, discover the potential of a robot uprising to bring about the end of the world. Readers will take a look at the history of AI and machine learning as well as the possibility for singularity. Sidebars examine potential chain reactions and historical instances of out of control AI. If the day comes, can robots and humans work together? Hopefully we will never find out!
Increasing temperatures, rising sea levels, raging wildfires, and sweeping hurricanes: climate change is happening, but what if we don’t make changes to stop it? Readers will find out when climate change began, how it has progressed, and what we can do to fight it in this high-interest title. An opening narrative throws readers into what may happen as the climate continues to change for the worse in this title, while interesting facts provide additional information to the main text. Can life adapt to our climate-changed world, or will it be the end?
Nat is all set to ride in a chaser truck at the hot-air balloon festival until he meets a killdeer family.
Alan volunteers for night watch at the wildlife-conservation camp--can he overcome his fear?
Amanda overcomes a language barrier and begins to relate to her newly adopted sister.
Benjamin shows Sheriff Leon how he and his Oma saved the money to pay off the mortgage.
A poor charcoal maker learns a valuable lesson about what's really important in his life.
Jimmy learns that a long-awaited special dessert is not the most important part of his family's Thanksgiving celebration.
