Climate change is not simply a problem for future generations. Hothouse Earth examines how science, politics, and social justice must all be part of the equation to counteract climate change.

The increasing severity of hurricanes, droughts, floods, and wildfires provide compelling evidence of climate change. Scientists agree the rise in anthropogenic carbon emissions is responsible, yet despite numerous studies, the international community is not addressing the impending disaster adequately. Countries are not on track to achieve lower carbon emissions to which they have pledged and some have pulled out of the agreement entirely. Some even seem to be in climate denial.

A former teacher and freelance journalist, author Stephanie Sammartino McPherson presents in-depth coverage of the issue, going beyond a discussion of carbon emissions to focus on “tipping points” that, once triggered, could cause natural processes to spiral out of control, provoking a series of catastrophes that cannot be reversed by lowering carbon emissions. Hothouse Earth: Climate Change and the Importance of Carbon Neutrality explains how these “positive feedbacks” could possibly precipitate the disaster known as “hothouse earth,” which was named in a climate change report to the United Nations from the National Academy of Sciences.

Praise for Hothouse Earth

“McPherson does a fantastic job of breaking down the science behind global warming and climate change. . . . A great addition to middle school libraries . . .”—School Library Journal

“Brief but tightly packed with current information; a strong choice.”—Kirkus Reviews

“This attractive offering considers climate change through scientific, political, and personal responsibility lenses. . . . fresh and up-to-date, creating a vibe of immediacy and emphasizing the need for action.”—Booklist