Butterfly expert’s work part of new kid’s book on climate change

Climate change is a tough topic for adults to fathom, much less kids. To help explain it, a recently released children’s and teens’ book explores the subject through vignettes, which include the work of a Sweet Briar College research biologist who is an expert on monarch butterflies.

The work of Lincoln Brower is featured in “How We Know What We Know about Our Changing Climate: Scientists and Kids Explore Global Warming.” It’s by Lynne Cherry and Gary Braasch, who compiled a wide range of scientific study relating to the environment.

“It is very comprehensive on many of the problems associated with global warming,” Brower said of the 67-page book. “The photos are elegantly done, and it should appeal to children, as is the authors’ (and) publisher’s intent.”

According to an author’s news release, “The book depicts scientists at work; teaches children the language, methods and process of science; imparts knowledge of technological tools and data collection; provides methods and ideas for school and home projects about weather and climate; describes and encourages participation in citizen-science programs; shows how each child can immediately reduce their carbon footprint and inspires them to do so by showing the effects of many kids working together already influencing communities to change.”

Brower — who taught biology at Amherst College for 22 years and is distinguished service professor of zoology emeritus, University of Florida — has researched overwintering, migration and conservation biology of monarchs for more than 50 years. He is an ardent defender of the monarch butterfly and its habitats.

His work studying the microclimate of the monarchs’ overwintering grounds in the mountains of central Mexico is described on pages 18 and 19.

As in other sections of the book, the chapter includes information on “citizen scientists,” who contribute to the understanding of science through participation in efforts such as the Monarch Larval Monitoring Program and Monarch Watch. Brower is especially enthusiastic about another project, Journey North, http://www.learner.org/jnorth, a Web site he considers to be a “wonderful educational” resource.

According to the news release, the citizen-science projects described in the book allow student readers to see how they can contribute to understanding global warming and, “by seeing how scientific information leads to informed decision-making, students will understand the excitement, utility and practical applications of careers in science.”

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PREVIEW: Visit http://www.howwe
knowclimatechange.com
INFO: Contact Ronit Dancis, ; Sweet Briar’s college relations office, or (434) 381-6262