This look at both the long and the recent histories of climate science, as well as humanity’s response to such knowledge, offers a fascinating historical perspective and a sobering look at where we are today. Scientists first made discoveries and advanced theories about the impact of carbon dioxide on the earth’s atmosphere in the 19th century. As early as the 1950s, several scientists were calling out the potentially catastrophic changes to come. From the 1970s onward, there have been many advances in scientific knowledge, which have led to ongoing efforts to increase public awareness and formulate meaningful political responses on both national and global levels. This has led to positive changes and frustrating—and at times infuriating—compromise, reaction, and inaction on the parts of national and world leaders and others. All of this is laid out in an accessible narrative that also focuses on climate change activism, with an emphasis on Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, including young people. Occasional cartoon-style black-and-white illustrations are included throughout, along with informational sidebars; detailed source notes for the quotations and other information throughout are provided at volume’s end.   (Age 12 and older)