One Earth

Starred review from March 9, 2020
In this series of profiles, Rao, a conservation biologist who notes that “at work, I’ve usually been the only one with a brown face,” centers the stories of 20 environmental activists, all people of color. Rao’s prose is plain, but the activists’ stories are extraordinary, from Dipani Sutaria’s quest to encourage the study and protection of India’s Irrawaddy
dolphins, to Ghanimat Azhdari’s use
of mapping as a tool for empowering Iran’s nomadic tribes, to Lucassie Arragutainaq’s work using traditional Inuit and Cree knowledge in environmental assessments. Throughout, the activists’ culture and backgrounds are presented as invaluable assets that have given them authority to act and the ability to bridge differences. Photographs, facts, and calls to action enliven the text; bolded terms (“social justice,” “unceded”) appear in a glossary. Taken together, it’s a powerful answer to Rao’s framing questions: “Who is an environmental defender? What does she or he look like? Maybe like you. Maybe like me.” Ages 12–up.

April 1, 2020

Gr 5-8-The author, a Canadian-born conservation biologist of Indian and Indigenous descent, uses her background as a source of knowledge and strength to defend Earth from harmful and destructive practices. Rao highlights 20 other people of color who are actively working to protect or restore various parts of the environment-wildlife, soil, water quality, forests, and other elements. Each person explains how their identity (race, language, culture, etc.) gives them a strong knowledge or background to address their environmental issue. The text mentions several Indigenous people from North and South America working to protect Native land and waters. By profiling 20 people in less than 200 pages, the book is a little choppy. There are few transitions between people and categories. Some biographies abruptly end, leaving the reader to wonder if the person has been successful or not. Nonetheless, it is refreshing to read of these activists' enthusiasm and determination to change our physical world for the better. VERDICT For larger libraries or libraries looking to expand their potential career offerings, this is a good choice to show how anyone can defend our world.-Lisa Crandall, formerly at the Capital Area District Library, Holt, MI

Copyright 2020 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Starred review from February 1, 2020
Conservation biologist Rao introduces 20 "environmental defenders" who are black, Indigenous, and people of color, inspiring young readers and environmentalists. When Rao entered the environmental field decades ago, she didn't encounter many people who looked like her. But, she writes, "my culture and my passion for the earth are linked," and she shows how that is the case for the defenders she interviewed for this book. Indonesian Muslim urban designer Nana Firman had limited results talking about "sustainability" and "conservation" with communities; when she identified Islamic foundations for stewardship, she found language that connected people to the cause. Oakland native Rue Mapp founded Outdoor Afro to connect African Americans to nature by holding space for the histories of injustice and exclusion black Americans have experienced in outdoor spaces and using a social justice lens to create safe and welcoming outdoor experiences. These environmental defenders hail from all over the world and vary greatly in ethnicity, culture, age, and religious background. The ways in which they protect the Earth vary too, but their messages echo each other with hope in what can happen when people come together and make small changes that add up. Each short biography, enhanced by attractive color photographs and engaging sidebars, also illustrates how the defenders came to their chosen paths--thought-provoking reading for young people figuring out their own contributions. This valuable compilation shows that Earth's salvation lies in the diversity of its people. (glossary, resources, index) (Nonfiction. 12-18)

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March 1, 2020
Grades 7-12 Rao interviews 20 people of color or Indigenous heritage who are working to protect our little, blue planet. The content is neatly sorted into six sections like community involvement, the defense of ancestral lands, and wildlife conservation. One section even goes, without preaching, into sustainable meat-eating practices. There's something for everyone, whether you want to be an activist at home or an organizer in the community. Even better, Rao exposes the reader to a variety of cultures and bodies of knowledge, such as New Zealand's Maori, Iran's nomadic peoples, and the Arctic Indigenous. It's an eye-opener and, with each chapter divided into a few spotlights, digestible in small bits. Handy for references, chock-full of full-color photos, with a helpful glossary in the back, it's an excellent resource that, placed in the hands of a budding environmentalist, will inspire action, whether large or small. An important representation of the contributions made by people of color and Indigenous people?and a beautiful celebration of diversity.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2020, American Library Association.)

July 1, 2020
Rao interviews twenty BIPOC environmental "defenders" from ten countries and one unceded First Nations territory. Each profile follows an individual's path to activism, emphasizing racial and cultural identities and tracing a through-line from childhood interests and experiences to current initiatives. The activists' work includes advocating for sustainable agriculture and building practices, protecting old growth forests, fighting for clean water, and promoting veganism. Color photographs, "Did You Know?" and "What Can You Do?" features, and boxed quotations enhance the inspiring accounts. A glossary, index, and list of related organizations and websites are appended.

(Copyright 2020 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)