Challenges to Our Energy Supply

School Library Journal

Gr 6–8—These titles spell out many of the problems relating to climate change. In Challenges, the possibility of worldwide energy shortages is the focus, with suggestions for sustainable solutions. When discussing China and its rapid industrial growth, the building of hydroelectric dams, including the controversial Three Gorges Dam, is shown as a positive step without further exploration of the environmental problems caused. Catastrophe offers an outline of the causes, impact, and possible future solutions to this international worry. Normal cyclical temperature variations as a possible cause are considered, but the bulk of the discussion involves greenhouse gases, overpopulation, increased carbon production, and land-use changes. Deforestation explores the loss of trees and habitat as an aspect of climate change. As in all three volumes, case studies provide further information on specific aspects of the problems being considered. Full-color photos, maps, and charts help in understanding the complex situations under discussion, but some of the language might be a tad more complex than the format of the series suggests.—Eva Elisabeth VonAncken, Trinity-Pawling School, Pawling, NY