As the days go on, one of the biggest things that remains a challenge to us human beings is Climate Change. Often described as the thing that the next generation will have the most problems with, everyday, we are seeing the effects of climate change on our world, and if we don’t act quickly, things could take a sour turn. However, in this world, there are various things that are stopping us from taking action, whether it is the funding not being provided, people lying about meeting their climate goals, or people not simply believing in climate change, there are many obstacles that have continued to delay the action needed to take for helping climate change. In this book, written by Alan Gratz called Two Degrees, he writes an emotional story, about how climate change has affected 3 different people, and why we need to take action now.
The book Two Degrees describes 3 different stories, of people from different places and how climate change has ruined people’s lives all over the United States; one from California, another one from Florida and the last one from a place called Churchill, located in Canada.
In California, a girl named Akira and her father are riding their horse through a forest when she suddenly smells smoke. Her father, who is a non believer in Climate Change shrugs it off, like nothing happened, but soon, Akira spots flames, and they try to escape. But it is too late. They are stuck in a ravaging wildfire, caused by the rising temperature due to Climate Change, spreading across the forest like a beast. When they are escaping, they meet two other people; Sue, a girl who is Akira’s age and her father. Together, all of them need to escape the fire that is approaching quickly, along with their horses, all while seeing dead, burnt bodies, and trees that were once living. Can Akira and her friends find a place of safety to seek refuge from the fire, or will this day be the final day she lives?
Down on the East Coast, a completely new situation has risen. Hurricanes. In Florida, a 13 year old girl in grade 8 named Isabel is obsessed with the weather forecast, which is a great benefit as she lives in a place where hurricanes are as frequent as death and taxes. With her mother also being an immigrant from Putro Rico, she also has experienced a fair few amounts of hurricanes. However, what happens in Florida is nothing compared to Puerto Rico. Just in the previous hurricane, Isabel’s roof was ripped off, leaving her victim to this tragedy, something caused by Climate Change again. With another hurricane on the forecast, Isabel, along with her mother, and long time neighbour, Tia, are discussing ways on how to protect themselves, when suddenly, a huge gust of wind and rain comes tumbling down, and Isabel is swept up in the water. She realises that the Hurricane has started sooner than expected, because of Climate Change. With dangerous debris in the water, such as metal, cars, pins, glass and dead or alive humans, and the hurricane rampaging everything, can she find a place to help her survive, and make sure her loved ones are here too?
Up in the north of the country, friends Geroge and Owen live in a small town in Churchill, often called the ‘Polar Bear Capital of the World’. Owen’s parents are tourists leaders, and because Churchill is a town that is built adjacent to Polar Bears, which leads to an influx of tourists every single year, which leads to lots of money. However, the dangers of Polar Bears are also very high. Polar bears are known for being violent predators, and can easily knock any human out with one slap from their paws. Also, they are known for being good camouflagers in the snow, which can make it hard to spot them. This information doesn’t make Owen and George scared though, because they have been with polar bears numerous times before, and they decide to venture out. However, this adventure is noticeably different from the ones they have been on before. Suddenly, as they step out, they are attacked by a polar bear, both of them being injured by this horror attack. With both of them injured, and more bears coming out to hunt them, can they survive in the snow and make it back to Churchill without being hurt, or will they die to the people they show around to visitors.
My favourite part of this book is how Alan Gratz has implemented elements of climate change here. In this book, he has shown that Climate Change also affects things we don’t think about, such as Polar Bears coming more inland to hunt humans, because they don’t have enough food to eat. This change directly affects us humans, and is yet another reason why we should immediately take action about climate change. Also, he makes this book very emotional, and puts lots of tense situations which make the book difficult to put down.
Overall, this is an enthralling book that shows how climate change can change our world dramatically; but also at the same time gives us important tips on how to reduce our climate footprint to make this world a better place. It is a must read for this and the next generation, so people can start doing something to aid this ever growing problem. Overall, I would rate this a 9.7/10.