HOW DO WE STOP CLIMATE CHANGE?

Mind mapping offers a new way to learn about climate change.

Radial diagrams break down big subjects, simplifying and organizing them into manageable chunks that use both words and images. Here, this strategy is effectively used by science writer Jackson and illustrator Kordić to explain first causes and effects of climate change, then what might be done. The opening table of contents shows that chapter by chapter, they deal with big questions: “Is climate the same as weather?” “What is the greenhouse effect?” “What causes climate change?” “What will happen to Earth? “What will happen to life on Earth?” “Can we stop climate change?” “Can technology solve it?” and “What do we do next?” A page turn reveals the map expressing these questions more succinctly and breaking them up into topics, each with a thumbnail illustration. Throughout the book this pattern continues. This has the effect of making the exposition, conveyed in short paragraphs with headings, feel accessible and understandable because it always appears with an image. Text and graphical boxes are set directly on spreads with relevant background images. Page numbers and subject headings appear throughout. Smaller page numbers guide readers to specific subtopics (usually, but not always, subsequent pages). The information in this title isn’t new, but it’s comprehensive and broken down in ways that will encourage understanding and retention.

An effective teaching tool used to explain a complex and critical issue.