Fresh Air, Clean Water: Our Right to a Healthy Environment

Part of the “Orca Think” series which introduces readers to current world issues, Fresh Air, Clean Water: Our Right to a Healthy Environment links human rights to environmental rights and profiles young activists from all over the globe. The author brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the subject from her background in environmental activism and social justice. In the first of four chapters, she provides a brief history of how farming, the Industrial Revolution and the use of chemicals in everyday products have contributed to changes in the environment. Climate change not only brings higher temperatures, droughts, more violent storms, wildfires and rising sea levels, but it also results in climate migration. (An estimated 20 million people per year become climate migrants.) The second chapter focuses on environmental racism and laws, and provides examples of countries that have changed their constitutions in order to ensure a healthy environment for their citizens. The third chapter features environment-related court cases, many of which involve children and teens, from various parts of the world. Finally, the fourth chapter encourages social activism and explains how some countries are working together to affect change. It also provides ways in which ordinary citizens can create change, some examples of which are writing letters to politicians and CEOs of large companies, taking part in protest marches, and using social media and the power of music and art to spread the word.

Besides the main body of the text, there are several sidebars: “It’s a Fact” offers food for thought, one example being that, if everyone on Earth used its resources in the same way that people in the U.S. and Canada do, “a whole year’s worth of what Earth can provide would be used up in just 72 days”; “Toxic Troubles” highlights places in the world where toxins such as acid rain and chemical runoff have wreaked havoc in communities; “Activists in Action” profiles individuals and groups that are taking on environmental issues and making a difference; and “You Be the Judge” presents real life issues and invites readers to decide on the best course of action.

There are several strong messages in Fresh Air, Clean Water, perhaps the most important ones being that all people are entitled to a healthy environment, environmental rights need protection, and that even individuals or small groups of people can make a difference. The book’s ending is not one of doom and gloom, but one of hope and optimism for the future if people have respect for nature and for each other.

Illustrations consist of colour photographs, drawings and diagrams, all of them suitably labelled. These not only enhance the text but also add visual appeal. A table of contents, a glossary, an index and a list of book and web sites for further study are also included in Fresh Air, Clean Water.