Kids Comics Pitchfest Showcase

Gaia's Guide to Climate Change (And CO2 Too!!)

GAIA’S GUIDE is an upper MG NF GN that clearly explains CO2’s role in climate change using Larry-Gonick-style explainer comics, easy projects, and imaginative challenges.

At a climate protest, an eco-anxious kid and his helpful dog meet a kind scholar who volunteers to answer their CO2 questions.

Part 1 delves into CO2 sources: breath (please keep breathing), volcanoes and wood/coal/gasoline/natural gas combustion.

Part 2 explores the places CO2 is sequestered like birds’ egg shells; limestone; coral reefs/seashells; and glucose that makes carbs/fats/proteins/DNA.

Part 3 is a call to action. Research/write/sing/talk about local solar, wind, water and nuclear energy projects. Plant trees. Use less. Curb food waste. All hands are needed. Now

My Why:

Climate change is real . . . ly scary. Responsible adults often fumble around trying to explain some very complex science to worried kids. It’s hard when they themselves never learned about it in school. Too often, they either deny it or predict dystopian hellscapes. Ack! Either way, we’re not inspired to act.

Kids need someone approachable and non-threatening who can help them understand climate predicaments and solutions. Gaia’s kid-friendly experiments, imaginative virtual reality challenges, and humor ease climate anxiety rather than fueling it. Her “rational hope” urges us to act, to limit climate change. Sure, it’s really scary, but we are really creative and hard-working. This book aims to inspires conversations that inspire action.