Earth Day, April 22, encourages us to appreciate the beauty of the environment and challenges us to take steps to protect it, and Arbor Day, April 25, reminds us of the importance of trees to the health of our planet. This April, head to the library to discover books for all ages about how we can play our part in the planet’s preservation.
COLLECTION
KIDS
- A Child’s Introduction to the Environment: the Air, Earth, and Sea Around Us- Plus Experimental Projects and Activities You Can Do to Help Our Planet! by Michael Driscoll
- Learn how we can help protect the environment and how the environment helps us. The author also includes fun projects and experiments to further your understanding of environmental issues.
- Earth Day and the Environment by Kate Messner
- The History Smashers team goes back in time to explore the history of Earth Day and stories of environmental activism across several centuries.
- Fresh Air, Clean Water: Our Right to a Healthy Environment by Megan Clendenan
- Fresh Air, Clean Water discusses our rights as humans to have clean water, air, and soil. It also covers important environmental court cases and highlights kids who are taking action.
TEENS
- Imaginary Borders by Xiuhtezcatl Martinez
- An inspiring book about the author’s journey of becoming a teen climate activist and what you can do to make change happen.
- No Planet B: a Teen Vogue Guide to the Climate Crisis by Lucy Diavolo
- This book is a call to action for young people to meet the challenge of climate change.
- Taking on the Plastics Crisis by Hannah Testa
- Written by a teen activist who created Georgia’s Plastics Pollution Awareness Day, this book describes the effects that plastics can have on the environment.
ADULTS
- The Climate Book by Greta Thunberg
- With insights from over one hundred climate experts, activist Greta Thunberg provides readers with a greater understanding of climate change and how we can remain hopeful in our fight against it.
- Nature’s Best Hope: A New Approach to Conservation That Starts in Your Backyard by Douglas Tallamy
- Learn how native plants can make a big difference for wildlife and the environment and how you can plant them in your own back yard.
- Silent Spring by Rachel Carson
- A pivotal book in the history of environmental activism, the publication of Silent Spring caused an outcry and resulted in the discontinuation of DDT and changes to laws impacting our air, land, and water.
Looking for fun ways to celebrate the Earth? Give some of these a try!
- Borrow an HCPL Nature backpack from the library and explore a State Park for free!
- Check out Henrico’s Environmental Action Resource Team (H.E.A.R.T.) and learn how you can get involved.
- Plant a tree or native plants.
- Make a bird feeder.
- Create art of out of recyclable materials.
Interesting facts to kick off your Earth and Arbor Day celebrations:
- The first Earth Day was celebrated in 1970.
- The first Arbor Day was celebrated in 1872.
- Over a billion people participate in Earth Day events each year.
- According to a 2015 survey, there are 422 trees for every one person (PBS).
- Close to 8 million metric tons of plastic go into the ocean each yea (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration).