TO WHAT EXTENT, CAN THE
IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE
BE EXPLAINED TO CHILDREN OF
THE AGES 5-7 USING A
CHILDREN’S BOOK?
EPQ
SAFIA HUSSAIN
D47023
, Contents page
Abstract: Page 2
Introduction: Page 2-3
Methodology: Page 3
Provisional research timetable: Page 4
Literature review: Page 4 – 7
Defining Climate Change: Page 7
Researching how to write a children’s book: Page 8-11
Researching impacts of climate change: Page 12- 16
Provisional storyboard: Page 16- 19
Researching to how illustrate a children book: Page 19 – 21
Primary market research: Page 21-22
Researching what media to use: Page 23- 27
Research for front cover and title: Page 27 – 29
1
, Abstract
This project identifies how well the impacts of climate change can be explained through a traditional storybook.
The reasons this project was chosen was because in the current political climate and the rate at which carbon
dioxide is being put into the environment. I went about my research by first collecting information regarding the
possible impacts of climate change and then researching how to produce a storybook and how to illustrate. The
findings of this research are important for the future generations to are the ones who should take climate change
seriously since it will more likely affect them. The reasons 5-7-year-olds were chosen as they are old enough to
understand this complex topic as it would be whittled down. This project decided not to mention why climate
change occurs as I believe this is something that this is something that already exists in the market. The most
important source used is the NASA website as they are a professional organisation that monitors changes in
ecosystems such as the Arctic circle. The general findings through testing show that the book did explain the
impacts of climate change in a variety of locations well and was recalled by the test subject.
Introduction of EPQ project
Some think of climate change as a topic for grown-ups. I completely disagree.
It is our societies in MEDCs (More Economically Developed Countries) and NICSs (Newly Industrialising countries)
that are responsible for most greenhouse gas emissions.
Source: https://wri.org/blog/2014/11/6-graphs-explain-world%E2%80%99s-top-10-emitters
I thoroughly believe that the children of these polluter countries, the future leaders and scientists, to have basic
understanding now. They need to acknowledge that what they do, has an immense global impact. The purpose of
my project is to assist this idea, by producing targeted literature that will allow children of the ages 5 to 7 to see
the future impacts of current attitudes towards climate change. By understanding this denial and laissez faire
attitudes that everyday people are guilty of, and putting in context of actual repercussions such as desertification
of land, displacement of entire populations and ecological destruction – Will then people change their behaviours.
It’s like telling someone if they stop smoking now they’ll live another couple of years. It’s the best motivation
strategy especially with children. Modification of their behaviours could encourage sustainable technological
innovations which may better mitigate.
2
,If teachers, and their parents, don't tell them the truth, and don't point the way towards a positive future, who
will? I specifically wanted to achieve, how best to show that depending on your economic background – your
chances of survival are higher than those in LEDCs (less economically developed countries). I’ve done this
purposely, because even though countries like India and Bangladesh who aren’t producing as much emissions as
China and USA are they are the ones with fragile governments that won’t have enough funding to help when
things turn dire after the tipping point and will have vast consequences that are likely to be more severe due to
their geographical location.
How I will go about developing this project is by first carrying research for my book of what information I can use.
Then by carrying out research into the design aspect of how books for the target market look like already and how
to write a successful children’s book. By the end what I would like to do is carryout a reading session of the book
to target audience to see what have they learnt and whether it has been successful.
Methodology: (How I will go about doing my project.)
1. Visit librarians in the LRC, to get more information about researching and where I can find the best
sources
2. Make a research timetable to organise EPQ work alongside my 3 other subjects and homework, revision
etc.
3. Now that I have my question, I want to do my literature review. I also want to make sure that I have good
references.
4. Define climate change – using accredited websites i.e. NASA
5. Pick the areas where the impacts of climate change will be particularly severe. Research the potential
impacts.
6. Start planning a story idea, the gist
7. Find out how to write a book.
8. With the research above – Create a writing story board
9. Research how to illustrate, find Q&As of authors. Investigating drawing techniques by using books and
which media to use.
10. Get a sketch book and plan all the drawings that will put into my books.
11. Create the Children’s book – Should take a week.
12. Exhibition – Make a PowerPoint perhaps
13. Conclusion
14. Evaluation
3
, Research Timetable Provisional
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday
Morning EPQ
Lunch EPQ
Evening EPQ
Night EPQ
Literature Review
Henson, Robert: THE ROUGH GUIDE to Weather (2007)
16/08/2016
This book provides a fact packed overview of the climates around the world, however quite rightly it establishes
the difference between weather which is what you get and climate which is what you expect to get. These
definitions are important for a reader to grasp what specific climate change is referring too. Although there is
another rough guide book specifically on climate change, this book was very scientific in its approach delving into
chemistry and mathematics of weather and climate. The book was clearly divided into different sections (the
ingredients, climate change, and weather around the world.) The section on climate change through pages 150 to
163 are really relevant towards my research question as it continues to show the basics of climate change, the
trends of global warming, and the ozone.
The book has detail on the ever-increasing volume of evidence that proves that our industrial culture is the prime
cause of global climate change although approaches it in almost romanticised way. For example it mention how
man had dreamed of using their power to influence climate then proving how we had but not in way for our benefit.
This book also mentions some of the key points put forth by the recent climate analyses by the intergovernmental
Panel on Climate Change. I have a preference for the graphs and info graphics i.e. explaining the greenhouse effect
,as a mean of presentation of information as it is simple to understand trends even for the general public, especially
since geography involves interpreting data. Also the book also has a section that helps the reader understanding
the history of forecasts, and how to read modern day computer models. Lastly I believe this source of information
is reliable as the author has provided citations for their sources and is credible.
Klein, Naomi: THIS CHANGES EVERYTHING (2014)
16/08/2016
This non-fiction book provides a path of survival for climate change. From the very start the book outlines that
combating climate change will need a universal effort, especially since there was an element where it included a
speech a student gave to her peers about governments missing pledges and targets and the metaphorical bones
of broken promises. It’s really quite unique in its portrayal – yet I wouldn’t describe the book as bleak as it ends
on optimism. The book explains that the consequences of climate change are directly linked to capitalism. This
book was easy to navigate through, and had clear sections lined out. This book supports the fact that humans are
causing climate change to a greater extent and is in dire need of mitigation. The presentation of information is
simple however the way in which it’s worded is more for the specialist reader. I do consider the information
quasi-reliable as I can see her p.o.v however whether capitalism is the sole perpetrator is questionable because it
can’t be compared to any other economic system.
Nicholas J. Clifford, Sara L. Holloway, Stephen P rice, & Gill Valentine: Key Concepts in Geography (2009)
4
, 23/08/2016
Using the Index I was able to locate the pages which has specific mention to climate change. This book provides
information about the ecological economics, and how climate change has disrupted the interaction of physical
and socio-economic systems by examining the condition environmental systems. It supports the argument that
climate change is occurring about causing ecological impacts which could be irreversible. The presentation of the
information in this book is for an educated reader and its more specialist type of textbook. I do consider the
information reliable as it provides a list of references after each section and there are many authors who have
cross examined each other’s works before publication and it’s the newest edition.
Waugh, David: Geography: An integrated approach (2009)
This book provides information on about the evidence climate change to be occurring such as pollen analysis and
fossil landscapes. Most other books will focus on the how and the why but I think readers require confirmation
and evidence for this – hence why I think this particular information is very useful especially when convincing
people that climate change is occurring. It also bullet points the causes and the climatic change particularly
localised to Britain. The information is simples presented with bullets points and easy to read however its
purpose as a book is to educate as it is a textbook and I believe it to be reliable as it’s evidence can be relied upon
and the author is credible.
Fullick, Ann: A Level Biology A for OCR (2015)
My biology textbook mentions climate change on page 280 and its references about the trends of what the IPCC
found similar results however more recent than Mr Henson’s book. It also focuses on biodiversity in our
specification. The information supports that climate change is occurring about is affecting biodiversity and how
species over time learn to adapt to climate change. This could be used to support the argument that we shouldn’t
necessarily care climate change was our bodies may eventually adapt. The information is sophisticated about is
more academic focusing on the specific side and its affect to biodiversity. I do consider it to be reliable as its
purpose it to educate and therefore more objective view.
Morgan, Sally: Climate change (2007)
Since my project is based around creating resources for children, I thought it might be best to check what else has
been written for the same audience with the same topic. Obviously the book is out-dated as it was first published
9 years ago. The book is very user friendly with a large font contents page that the target reader can use with
ease. It’s spilt into 14 specific headings after every two pages. The information is sparse compared to the ratio
size of images on the page. I really like the phrase “but scientists think that” it helps give justification and
reasoning to what experts think. As I had predicted by reading other books that the distinction of climate and
weather is essential and that having diagrams are key. The book also has a small post-stick note configuration on
the page with a special “eco thought” which gives the reader more information to be weary of as well as try this
section on a blue post stick note making it more interactive as a book. The book also provides a list of internet
pages and has a note to parents and teachers saying the writer had no providence over whether the information
changes.
Boyd Emily & Tompkins L. Emma: Climate change – Beginners guide (2009)
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