There were several "early environmentalists," including Henry David Thoreau, John Muir, Theodore Roosevelt and Jacques-Yves Cousteau. They were the early pioneers and not always taken seriously, but now there are many people and organizations that are interested in protecting our environment. Young people today realize that "we're woven into the environment just as much as a leaf on a tree or the soil we walk on" and there are many little things we can do to help.



In this book you'll learn about the Earth and our place in it, biome facts, Earth's atmosphere, the stratosphere, the sun, plant and animal species on Earth, pollution, global warming, ozone depletion, endangered species, how to recycle and how the environment balances itself. There are projects interspersed in these pages relative to the dialogue. The author does try to impress upon the reader "to be aware of the materials you use" and encourages environmental awareness throughout the text. Among the many projects you can do include:



Make Your Own Whole World Granola

Make Your Own Tullgren Funnel

Make Your Own Wind-Powered Bubble Machine

Make Your Own Plant-Oxygen Experiment

Make Your Own Giant Air Blaster Make Your Own Water-Testing Experiment

Make Your Own Backyard Pond

Make Your Own Miniature Water Cycle

Make Your Own Terrarium

Make Your Own Solar-Powered Oven

Make Your Own Pocket Sundial

Make Your Own Sunflower House

Make Your Own Pond Exploration Kit

Make Your Own Mini Food Chain

Make Your Own Butterfly Feeder

make Your Own Chemical-Free, Insect-Repelling Dog Collar

Make Your Own Ladybug Home

Make Your Own Garbage Picker-Upper

Make Your Own Global Warming in a Jar

Propagate Your Own Tree

Make Your Own Ozone Hole Magic Trick

Make Your Own Hydroponic Planter

Make Your Own Endangered Animal T-Shirt

Make Your Own Food Supply Experiment

Make Your Own Naturally Dyed Shopping Tote

Make Your Own Worm Castle

Make Your Own Scratch-and-Sniff Recycled Paper

Make Your Own Environment Charm Bracelet

Make Your Own "Bring the Earth Back Into Balance" Game



I've been looking at this book for over a month and marveling at the amazing information packed inside. This book was printed on "100% recycled paper" by a member of the Green Press Initiative and a listing of the resources saved are listed in the front. The inside has no glossy pages and is actually quite dull looking in black and white. BUT, you'll have to travel far and wide to find a more interesting and unique book that not only discusses critical environmental issues, but also provides many hands-on projects for its readers. In the back of the book is a glossary, an index and additional recommended book, periodical, environmental and web site resources for children. Can't go wrong with this book!