Climate Is Just the Start

A guide to tackling the climate crisis from a prominent activist working on the front lines! Mikaela Loach's approach is one of HOPE and big-hearted optimism, inspiring kids and making them feel truly empowered to change the world.

Kids hear about the climate crisis pretty much every day. From their parents, from their teachers, on social media, and in the news, there is no escaping it. Against a broader backdrop of social inequity and unfairness, it's easy for young people to feel a sense of "doom and gloom" about everything and to feel powerless.

In CLIMATE IS JUST THE START, UK-based climate activist Mikaela Loach offers her urgent and inspiring message for kids who want to STOP the climate crisis and START building a better world for everyone. Mikaela explains the climate crisis and its broader social implications through personal stories about her activism journey. She writes about friends from around the world who are experiencing the worst of it today and about what they are doing to fight back. She delivers a message or not only hope, but of excitement for the opportunity to create not only a sustainable future for Earth, but better lives for people in the process.

Mikaela is truly on the front lines of the climate movement: leading street protests, confronting fossil fuel executives, taking the UK government to court, and speaking up to those in power. Not only will kids love engage with her style, they will be inspired by her example.

Author: Mikaela Loach
Publisher: Bright Matter Books
Published: 03/18/2025
Pages: 208
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 0.65lbs
Size: 8.30h x 5.60w x 0.90d
ISBN: 9780593897324
Audience: Ages 9-12


Review Citation(s):
Booklist 03/01/2025 pg. 87
Kirkus Reviews 04/01/2025
School Library Journal 04/04/2025 pg. 1

About the Author
Mikaela Loach, named by Forbes, BBC Women's Hour and The Guardian as one of the most influential women in the UK climate movement, is a British-Jamaican former medical student, climate justice organiser and Director of the AWETHU School of Organising. Her first book, It's Not That Radical: Climate Action to Transform Our World, was an instant indie bestseller. She was named the 2023 Non-Fiction Indie Champion by Bookshop.org and one of the "World's Top Thinkers" by Prospect Magazine. Mikaela has boldly challenged powerful entities, calling out billionaires at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation's annual event, taking the UK government to court in the landmark "Paid To Pollute" case in 2021, and challenging Shell's CEO and board at their AGM for their human rights abuses to people of the Niger Delta in Nigeria.