Information Books/Resources > Environmental Issues

Macquarie Island lies in the Southern Ocean, between Antarctica and New Zealand. A speck of green in the vast, windswept sea, it is a haven for many creatures that live above and below the waves. In One Small Island, Alison Lester and Coral Tulloch bring us the story of this remote and precious World Heritage Site. Together they explore the island's unique geological beginnings, discovery and degradation at the hands of humans, and the battle to restore it today. This beautifully presented book leaves us with an important question:... read more

Water is one of Earths hot environmental topics. The scarcity of clean drinking water will have dramatic consequences for humanity in the 21st century: water disputes could spark regional conflict, while increased desertification and drought could affect world food supplies and the future of farming. Not a Drop to Drink conveys a clear message to young readers about this precious commodity and our urgent need to conserve it

New Zealand is under attack! The 'invaders' of the title are the animals from overseas that have made New Zealand their home - often by human hand and usually with disastrous consequences for the local wildlife. Some of the best-loved newcomers are the worst offenders - cats, mice, hedgehogs, dogs, possums - and between them they have snuffed out untold numbers of native animals and plants. This book dishes out home truths and fascinating insights that will encourage children to take a fresh look at the environment and how to prote... read more

This book explores the ways in which we are depleting the planet's resources, and the need to use them in a sustainable manner. Can we meet all our needs and wants without destroying our forests and fisheries? Explores the pressure that population growth and unsustainable development is putting on the planet's resources and environment, challenging readers to think about what they would do about a range of local and global challenges.

Encourages children to take direct action to preserve their environment, combat climate change and work towards a sustainable future.

Using Water highlights all the different ways we use and waste water. The book explains how water is important and what we can do to help conserve it. The Green Team actively encourages children to help combat climate change and work towards a sustainable future.

An interesting take on exploring global issues through maps, figures, images, statistics and extensive lists of facts. The earth's atmosphere is getting warmer. Already we are feeling the impact of global warming in changing weather patterns, threats to animals and plants, melting glaciers, rising sea levels and warming oceans. This book looks at the causes and effects of climate change and examines what we can do to slow or reverse this trend.

Did you know there was once a beaver that was two metres long? That the elephant-bird really did exist? And that the dodo once had a life beyond the pages of Alice in Wonderland? Have you heard of the megatherium, the glyptodon or the tratratratra? Through legend and mythology, anecdotes and scientific facts, the authors tell fascinating stories of the strange animals that disappeared before our time. The book is a tragicomedy, and a mine of information for everyone interested in the animal world.

This book examines various invasive species from around the world and how they were introduced into habitats that were inappropriate.

This book is a call to action for children everywhere!The effects of pollution, global warming and the destruction of our planet have never been so visible or so measurable. This book introduces and explains the enviornmental problems that need to be addressed now. For ages 8+

Find out how the sun's light and heat can be used to create electricity, discover how solar panels work and see how solar energy may be used in the future. The Our World Energy series provides clear easy-to-read information on two differentiated text levels so that students of mixed reading ability can enjoy the same book.

Water Power introduces the reader to the ways in which we use water as a source of energy. Find out about the strength of the rivers and the sea, and how hydroelectric power stations convert this energy into electricity. With clear easy-to-read information, the text is written on two levels.

This book is suitable for readers of ages 10-14. This is an exciting new book that explores bioenergy, which is energy derived from organic matter, to produce heat, run cars, and generate electricity.

Meet Maggie, Rose, Oscar and Bentley - four friends with loads of ideas for fun stuff to do. This brilliant activity book contains oodles of things to make and do - all based around the subject of art and recycling. It's packed with simple games, fun things to make and creative activities for young children. All the activities are tried and tested in the London-based Maggie & Rose family club. The Maggie & Rose team was set up in 2008 with the aim of educating and entertaining pre-schoolers through art, music and cookery classes. W... read more

True Green Kids is the one book every home should have for the next generation. This vital children's title is an innovative collection of fun and practical ways to help kids become agents for environmental change in their world. With fresh, new strategies and a bright, friendly design, True Green Kids invites the whole family to embark on an eco-adventure through a series of fun ideas that can be applied everywhere from the living room to the local park. Underscoring its message of individual awareness and action with beautiful c... read more

Wherever we live in the world - whether our country is rich or poor - water is vital to our survival on this planet. This book follows the daily lives of six children from Peru, Mauritania, Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Tajikistan and California and explores what water means to them. Where does it come from? How do they use it? With the growing threat of floods and droughts occuring throughout the world due to global warming, this book invites discussion on these topics as well as documenting the ways different countries and cultures valu... read more

Take a closer look at global warming and how it is affecting the world around us. Explore the changing earth through one hundred facts, fantastic illustrations and hilarious cartoons, while fun quizzes test your knowledge.

Based on TV3's hit new series 'Wa$ted', this book is jam-packed full of tips and information on how to save money while saving the planet. In the same up-beat, lively way as the TV show, this book never preaches and is always positive and helpful. Divided into Rubbish, Power, Water and Fuel, each part begins by helping you audit your own household use. It then goes into detail on everything from worm farms to what to do with big purchase packaging to nappies to double glazing to towel rails to rainwater butts to tuning your car to ... read more

Predators sets out to explore some of the more unsavoury elements of New Zealand’s environment. Designed with lots of pull-out boxes and quick to read information, and illustrated with diagrams and stunning photographs, the book looks at elements in the New Zealand environment that are not very savoury, and does it in an educational and interesting manner.Did you know that possums store food in their stomachs in layers, to aid digestionbChildren are fascinated by icky and gross things - and this funky book wi... read more

This book shows how the production and distribution of food and clean water is uneven across the globe, leading to hunger and poverty for many. How can more food reach people who need it? Explores the pressure that population growth and unsustainable development is putting on the planet's resources and environment, challenging readers to think about what they would do about a range of local and global challenges.