SDG 13: Climate Action
Did you know that the last decade was the warmest on record? Hot temperatures can cause wildfires that put animals and people in danger. Extreme weather phenomena, like hurricanes and droughts can damage people’s homes and force them to move. In 2018, more than 39 million people all over the world were in danger of losing their homes. That’s a really big number!
The rising temperature of the Earth is called “global warming.” If the Earth’s temperature keeps getting hotter, we will feel the effects of it. For example, global warming will melt the Arctic’s sea ice and cause the sea level to rise. If the sea level continues to rise, many islands and countries will struggle to stay above water and people and animals will lose their homes. To avoid this from happening, all of us must do something to help the Earth.
SDG 13: Climate Action aims to help solve these problems. Since millions of people are in danger of losing their homes, we must take climate action seriously and do what we can to save the environment.
Browse through our new reading list to learn more about the consequences of climate change. Read the books together with your friends or family (or over video chat or physically distanced outdoors) and find fun ways to help save the Earth, one community at a time!
Our new reading list covers many of these topics and we hope the stories will inspire you to think about ways that you can help improve the community that you live in.
The SDG Book Club makes content available in the six official languages of the United Nations – please see our other pages for more recommendations in Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian and Spanish.
Table of Contents
On the importance of reading
No One Is Too Small to Make a Difference
There will be many books written about Greta Thunberg, but this one is important as it allows the reader to encounter Greta in her own words. The book collects some of her important speeches, including those given at the UN, the World Economic Forum and climate rallies around the world, and in the process provides the opportunity for young people to read and feel the power of her thinking.
Author: Greta Thunberg | ISBN: 9780141991740| Publisher: Penguin
Big Rain
This book immediately captures young readers’ minds as it tells a story filled with peaks and valleys. The reader will see the implications created when our forests and rivers are not adequately cared for while also gaining imperative knowledge about climate action. Children will learn about the importance of climate action and how they can promote a sustainable environment.
Author and Illustrator: Gayathri Bashi | ISBN: 9789386667632 | Publisher: Tulika Publishers
Animal Village
This book tells a unique story that is authentic to the Zarma culture of West Africa. After reading this book, the reader will have a greater understanding of droughts and the devastation they are responsible for worldwide. This story also provides the reader with an abundance of wisdom that will benefit all those concerned with climate action. Lastly, this book will teach children the importance of hard work, determination, and never giving up when trying to achieve goals.
Author: Nelda LaTeef | ISBN: 9789988647469 | Publisher: Sub-Saharan Publishers, Ghana
Reading is a great way to better understand what people from across the globe struggle with in their everyday lives, and it helps us reflect on our own situation. But reading is just the first step: now it’s time to share your book club experiences and how you plan to take action. Each month, we will feature a couple of book clubs on our blog, so get ready to share your story through social media, by using #SDGBookClub and tagging @UNPublications.
We know it can be difficult to stay at home to protect ourselves and our loved ones from COVID-19. This is why we created a new guide on how to organize your own SDG Book Club online to connect with your friends and family while sharing the joy of reading. We look forward to hearing about your experience on social media using #SDGBookClub.
Help us spread the word by downloading our promotional materials. You will find a horizontal banner, bookmark, placard and easy-to-print sign-up sheet for your friends, family and community to join the SDG Book Club!
The International Publishers Association (IPA) is a federation of publishing associations from around the world. The main mandate of the IPA is to promote and defend copyright, support the freedom to publish, promote literacy and reading. IPA is an accredited NGO in consultative status with the Economic and Social Council of the UN. IPA supports the SDGs and works particularly closely with WIPO and UNESCO.
The International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) is the leading international body representing the interests of library and information services and their users. It is the global voice of the library and information profession. Founded in 1927 in Edinburgh, Scotland at an international conference, we celebrated our 90th birthday in 2017. We now have more than 1,300 Members in nearly 150 countries around the world. IFLA was registered in the Netherlands in 1971.
The International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY) is a non-profit organization that represents an international network of people from all over the world who are committed to bringing books and children together. Today IBBY comprises 79 National Sections worldwide.
The European & International Booksellers Federation (EIBF) represents national booksellers associations in the European Union and beyond. EIBF Members in turn have in membership booksellers of all kinds: brick and mortar bookshops, online bookshops, independents, chains.
The Bologna Children’s Book Fair (BCBF) is the most important international trade fair of the children’s publishing industry. With over 50 years of experience, BCBF has succeeded in bringing together a unique and diverse global audience: the result is the world’s premium copyright business hub when it comes to publishing with an extra core that extends to all multi-media content for children.
Our SDG Book Club is expanding and we are excited to see SDG reading lists for children from around the world. In addition to the SDG Book Club in the UN’s six official languages (Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish) there are now chapters in other languages. Visit the SDG Book Club Chapters listed below.