Today is Book Lovers Day, which is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate and appreciate the power of books! Books can inform, inspire, and connect us with the world around us. In today's world, one of the most pressing issues is the impact of climate change and the need for sustainable energy solutions, an issue that the Office of Environmental and Energy Coordination focuses on. Fortunately, there are many books available at the Fairfax County Public Library (FCPL) that explore these important topics in engaging and accessible ways.
Whether you're an adult looking to deepen your understanding of clean energy, a young adult exploring how to take climate action, or a child learning about the importance of protecting the planet, there are books out there for you! On this page, we'll take a closer look at some of books available to Fairfax County residents of all ages.
Adult Books
Before the Streetlights Come On: Black America’s Urgent Call for Climate Solutions
"In Before the Streetlights Come On, climate activist Heather McTeer Toney brings her background in politics, community advocacy, and leadership in environmental justice to this revolutionary exploration of why and how Black Americans are uniquely qualified to lead national and global conversations around systems of racial disparity and solutions to the climate crisis.” - Provided by publisher
Electrify: An Optimist's Playbook for Our Clean Energy Future
“Saul Griffith lays out an accessible, rigorously-researched plan to decarbonize the U.S. economy in time to address climate change. His plan, in short, is to "electrify everything." Griffith uses his deep understanding of U.S. energy flows, materials, and clean energy technologies to show that decarbonizing in time to meet climate goals is not only possible, but can be done without major sacrifices in our lifestyles, creating more jobs and a cleaner, healthier environment.” - Provided by publisher
Groundcover Revolution: How to use sustainable, low-maintenance, low-water groundcovers to replace your turf
"Reducing the lawn is among the biggest trends in homeownership, with an endless stream of homeowners looking for an eco-friendly alternative to a traditional turfgrass lawn. In the last few years alone, over 23 million American adults converted part of their lawn to a natural landscape and the biggest challenge to adopting this new ideal of the perfect lawn? Knowing how and when to replace your turf, and which plants are the best ones for the job." - Provided by publisher
How to Talk to Your Kids about Climate Change: Turning Angst into Action
"How to Talk to Your Kids About Climate Change provides tools and strategies for parents to explain the climate emergency to their children, maintain hope in the face of crisis, and galvanize positive action by encouraging today's children to follow their passions in pursuit of a livable world." - Provided by publisher
The Earth Transformed: An Untold History
"In a bold narrative that spans centuries and continents, Peter Frankopan argues that nature has always played a fundamental role in the writing of history. From the fall of the Moche civilization in South America to volcanic eruptions in Iceland that affected Egypt and helped bring the Ottoman empire to its knees, climate change and its influences have always been with us." - Provided by publisher
The Heartbeat of Trees: Embracing Our Ancient Bond with Forests and Nature
"In an era of cell phone addiction and ever-expanding cities, many of us fear we've lost our connection to nature —but Peter Wohlleben is convinced that age-old ties linking humans to the forest remain alive and intact. Drawing on new scientific discoveries, The Heartbeat of Trees reveals the profound interactions humans can have with nature, exploring the language of the forest, the consciousness of plants, and the eroding boundary between flora and fauna." - Provided by publisher
The Star Builders: Nuclear Fusion and the Race to Power the Planet
"Today, all across the world teams of scientists are being assembled by the world's boldest entrepreneurs, big business, and governments to solve what is the most difficult technological challenge humanity has ever faced: building the equivalent of a star on earth. If their plans to capture star power are successful, they will unlock thousands, potentially millions, of years of clean, carbon-free energy." - Provided by publisher
Young Adult Books
Climate Champions: 15 Women Fighting for Your Future
"These 15 contemporary climate champions are on the frontlines of science to create a sustainable future on Earth. They are climate scientists, journalists, professors, academics, researchers, and policy makers from around the world who draft policies with real-world impact, run science labs to find new answers to old problems, and lead organizations at the forefront of change.” - Provided by publisher
How to Change Everything: The Young Human's Guide to Protecting the Planet and Each Other
"Full of empowering stories of young leaders all over the world, this information-packed book from award-winning journalist and one of the foremost voices for climate justice, Naomi Klein, offers young readers a comprehensive look at the state of the climate today and how we got here, while also providing the tools they need to join this fight to protect and reshape the planet they will inherit." - Provided by publisher
One Earth: People of Color Protecting Our Planet
"This nonfiction book for middle readers profiles twenty environmental activists of color from around the world. Their individual stories show that the intersection of environment and ethnicity is an asset, not an obstacle, to helping the planet. Illustrated with photos of each of the people profiled." - Provided by publisher
The Most Important Comic Book on Earth: Stories to Save the World
"The Most Important Comic Book On Earth is a global collaboration for planetary change, bringing together a diverse team of 300 leading environmentalists, artists, authors, actors, filmmakers, musicians, and more to present over 120 stories to save the world.” - Amazon
The Science of Weather and Climate: Rain, Sleet, and the Rising Tide (Inquire & Investigate)
"A fascinating, full-color introduction to the earth science happening over our heads, packed with STEM experiments and science-minded research projects that invite kids ages 12 to 15 to explore the wonderful world of meteorology through real-world connections!" - Amazon
Children's Books
Be the Change: Rob Greenfield’s Call to Kids―Making a Difference in a Messed-Up World
"From environmental activist Rob Greenfield comes an energetic guide to creating a sustainable world. This book guides young readers through some of the trickiest topics of our time: food and water waste, our dependency on fossil fuels, and our love of money and stuff. What our planet needs, he argues, is for us to embrace sustainable living." - Provided by publisher
Fresh Air, Clean Water: Our Right to a Healthy Environment
"Fresh Air, Clean Water: Our Right to a Healthy Environment is a nonfiction illustrated book for middle grade readers that explores the connections between our environment and our health, and why the right to live in a healthy environment should be protected as a human right. The book features profiles of kids around the world who are taking action and important environmental rights court cases." - Amazon
Planet Power: Explore the World's Renewable Energy
"Explore six renewable energy technologies that are used around the world! Accessible verse and lush illustrations introduce children to important information about how we can harness the planet's natural resources including wind, water and sun. Inset boxes define new words like 'turbine,' while extensive endnotes further explain the science behind each power source and the benefits of clean energy." - Provided by publisher
Which book are you most interested in checking out? While you’re visiting your favorite library branch, consider checking out a Conserve (Energy) Kit, a kit that includes tools and items that help you understand more about how various appliances and devices in your home use energy. You can also check out a Thermal Imaging Camera, a device that connects to your phone to allow you to see where you might have leaky outlets, drafty doors, or missing insulation in your home. Get these items and more from the Fairfax County Library of Things!