Eyes Wide Open: Going Behind the Environmental Headlines [Paperback]

Paul Fleischman offers teens an environmental wake-up call and a tool kit for decoding the barrage of conflicting information confronting them.

We're living in an Ah-Ha moment. Take 250 years of human ingenuity. Add abundant fossil fuels. The result: a population and lifestyle never before seen. The downsides weren't visible for centuries, but now they are. Suddenly everything needs rethinking — suburbs, cars, fast food, cheap prices. It's a changed world. 

This book explains it. Not with isolated facts, but the principles driving attitudes and events, from vested interests to denial to big-country syndrome. Because money is as important as molecules in the environment, science is joined with politics, history, and psychology to provide the briefing needed to comprehend the 21st century. 

Extensive back matter, including a glossary, bibliography, and index, as well as numerous references to websites, provides further resources.With simple, matter-of-fact language, an attractive layout and an abundance of references, this compact guide to addressing climate change is a must-read for millennials and for all who seek solutions to global warming. ... For high schools that assign one book for all students to read and discuss: This is the one.
—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

[A] challenging and provocative overview of current environmental and sociological problems, which urges readers to think critically and broadly about the world. ... Few readers will look at the world the same way after finishing this book.
—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

Written in a lively style, lavishly illustrated, and timely in its subject matter, this well-researched book is a call to action: now is the time to save our environment. ... The presentation of facts and the author’s positive message are what shine here. An excellent and thought-provoking take on a well-worn subject.
—School Library Journl!