Climate fiction adventure young readers

Climate Women


This
“Climate Women” series is mainly for myself to learn and be inspired by women climate leaders while simultaneously getting back to a regular oil painting practice. The women featured are authors in the book All We Can Save, which is part of a larger All We Can Save Project. Reading this book and painting these women while listening to their voices on podcasts and TED Talks has become a meditation and learning practice for me. As I seek to embody intersections of art, feminism, climate activism, and Earth and space science, I find strength, motivation, and hope in their power and wisdom. 
Guest Blog by Kathryn Williamson

Art, Feminism, Climate Activism
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Visit : Kathryn Williamson



I believe all of these women are showing up the way I feel called to show up, living into the calling to be and become in this moment, to be fully alive on this Earth and in this Universe. Some of these women are scientists, some artists, and journalists. Some of the essays by Indigenous women have most affected me. I mourn how late I am arriving to this perspective, how much I didn’t inherit from my culture – wisdom, respect, connection, and love. Too often I am driven by the ethos of efficiency, productivity, ignoring or pretending like I don’t have needs or emotions or a spirit that needs to be nurtured. Stopping the grind to do these paintings is my own little resistance, my own commitment to my own healing of my mind, body, and spirit to reconnect with the pulse of this world, my listening to those whose voices need to be heard, amplified, and echoed throughout the world.

On my good days, I can point to the climate actions I have taken and feel that I can count myself among these women. My perspective of humanity, place and time is a perspective I cherish, and that I believe is amplified by my work as an astronomy educator. Pondering deep time and vast space is common for astronomers. This perspective has only amplified my love of Earth and Earthlings, how amazing we are for being here. Carl Sagan’s quote, “we are a way for the Universe to know itself” captures this. It also keeps me connected to something bigger than us on Earth. It makes me feel better – whatever happens with the climate and Earthlings in the future, nothing will change the validity of this quote. 
I believe that healing the climate is connected with healing ourselves, which includes listening to our creativity and the small seeds of yearning we have. Listening, learning, encouraging each other in community. Even though I haven’t met these women, I feel in community with them. I want to grow from the wisdom they provide, I want to meditate on their words and feel affected by them. And the process of painting helps me do that. 
Note: This is very much a work in progress. More image of paintings coming soon, pending approval by authors.

Claire oil Portrait
This is Claire Datnow, a former teacher and novelist who writes eco-adventure young adult books, whom I met at the Environmental Education Association of Alabama (EEAA) meeting this past February. Claire helped me learn more about the power of writing and storytelling. I know all too well how “the science alone is not enough” in helping people understand or act on climate change. Stories, with relatable characters and meaningful plots, can help us to understand climate at a personal level. Stories can provide us a roadmap for solutions and a vision for a better future. I realized I wanted to paint Claire as part of my “Climate Women” series, and I asked her to send me some reference photos. 
I finished the painting just in time for the June EEAA Board meeting. I called Claire the day before and said I’d like to buy one of her books, too, “The Grey Whale’s Lament,” and asked her to bring a copy. Since this is the second book in her Four Elements Trilogy, Claire said she’d also bring the first book, “Red Flag Warning.” When we saw each other in person at the Oak Mountain Interpretive Center, a perfect place to walk among the trees and breathe in the fresh humidity at the beginning of the southern summer, Claire signed her books for me. I showed her and her husband, Boris, the painting. She exclaimed, “Wow, no one’s ever painted my portrait before!” and, “I’m not quite sure it looks like me,” but Boris said he can see the resemblance. 
Since then, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed reading “Red Flag Warning." The characters are so endearing; I feel like I’m right there with them as they navigate fire from habitat destruction and excessive heat, deal with burns and injuries, bond with the animals in their region, and ultimately band together to inspire real change. I’m so glad to know Claire’s books are being used in classrooms, as I think they can inspire youth to see themselves as leaders in addressing the climate crisis. Her websites provide links to purchase her books and teacher guides for educators looking to implement related lesson plans. I highly recommend checking them out!
https://clairedatnow.com/ 
https://mediamint.net/ 


Respect The Wildness of Animals


Book cover 2nd Edition


The second edition of Red Flag Warning: An Eco Adventure had just been published! The story follows the adventures of three special young people from across the world, the wild animals that are part of their lives, and the terrible threats they face—threats that will affect them and the entire world. The teens, all scared by wildfires, struggle with deeper wounds to their self- image. They must learn to respect the wildness of the animals they love and find their own voices, along with the power of community, in their mission to protect the animals they love

In what way does the book inspire compassion and respect for animals in the readers? Three teens Aisyah from Sumatra, Hector from California, and Kirri from Australia, dedicate themselves to the challenging task of rehabilitating a Sumatran orangutang, a Rock wallaby, and a Peregrine falcon–all severely injured in wildfires. To accomplish this mission to return them to the wild, they must acquire knowledge, respect, patience, and empathy for the animals with whom they have bonded.

Sumatran Orangatangs

What inspired you to write about animals? Red Flag Warning opens a gateway for young people to feel empathy toward animals in the wild, empowering them to take action to help animals thrive and survive, and ultimately to preserve the biodiversity of life.



Peregrine falcon



Does the story weave in other themes? Absolutely. The wildfires are fueled by climate change resulting in the destruction of the natural habitat necessary for the survival of the species.



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