Rising Seas: Flooding, Climate Change and Our New World, by Keltie Thomas. Art by Belle Wuthrich and Kath Boake W. Firefly, 2018. $9.95 ages 10 and up

"Where can you see fish swimming in the streets? In the city of Miami Beach after a flood. A recent study shows that sea level rise has tripled in South Florida since 2006, and the number of floods has shot up. In fact, the sea is rising 10 times faster here than the global average. The South Florida area is made of limestone ... "

Keeping to the topic of water, I wanted to bring this book to your attention, too. Climate change is definitely on the minds of many people around the world, and working to find solutions to the dire straits we already find ourselves in is paramount.

The issue of rising sea levels and the destruction it is causing is not something that was front of mind for me. A fairly lengthy introduction changed that. Sea levels have been climbing at a noticeable rate, and are projected to climb as much as 2.5 metres over the next 80 years. Alarming, isn't it? Many populous countries are in the danger zone - China, India, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Indonesia, Japan, Philippines, U.S.A., Egypt and Brazil. What will happen if rising waters leave people there homeless?

Before moving forward to 15 major sites that are the most exposed to the dangers, Keltie Thomas also explains the why, the how, and the what about the future? for readers in graphs, maps, graphics and short bits of text. As each site is made center of attention, Ms. Thomas uses statistics, the present situation, and what can be done to make effective and lasting change.

She begins with North America (Miami Beach, New Orleans, New York, Halifax and Lennox Island) and moves on to highlight ten other areas of the world in fascinating two-to-four page sections that include a spotlight full of information concerning each, photos, a map, a 'here and now' feature and what is being done right now to make significant change.

A two page list of suggestions readers can do follows, as well as a considerable glossary, graphic descriptions of both the carbon and water cycles, 'more to explore', and an index; each is useful.

After poring over this book's pages, I am much more informed that I was early this morning when I set myself the task of reading it so that I could write about it today. The design is appealing, the tone of the text conversational, and the statistics alarming. The visuals often astound. It leaves interested readers with much to consider.


We can ALL do something.

Here is an abridged version of Ms. Thomas' suggestions for each of us:

Speak up!
Reduce, reuse, recycle.
Stop hogging energy.
Be a water scrooge.
Be a clean, green power champ. 
Power down and unplug.
Walk, cycle, skateboard, or blade.
Eat local, shop local.
Eat less meat.
Be a backyard scientist.