The World Health Organization defines Universal Health Care (UHC) as all individuals and communities receiving the health services needed without suffering financial hardship. Of the 33 developed countries in the world, 32 have some form of Universal Health Care. Over 800 million people around the world spent 10 percent or more of their household budgets on health care and a further 100 million were pushed into extreme poverty in order to pay for health care. This timely title examines what UHC is—and is not—and how it impacts the health and well-being of human communities throughout the world.
We use it every day in products as varied as prescription drugs, toys, and toothbrushes. In less than a century, plastics have become integral to our daily lives. But plastic waste also clogs Earth’s oceans and other water bodies. Research has shown that microplastics have even accumulated in our bodies. This timely book investigates our increasingly problematic use of plastics in all areas of our lives and how our attempts to curb use and mitigate the harm of plastics are not working fast enough.
A hundred years ago, marijuana was considered a threat to civil order and mental health. Today, recreational marijuana is legal in two countries: Canada and Uruguay. More countries are expected to follow—some in an attempt to reduce underage use of the drug. In the United States, marijuana is legal for recreational use in 11 states and in 33 for medical use. Legalizing Marijuana analyzes the issues related to legalization, use, misuse, and if legalized, how to address the futures of people currently convicted or serving time for marijuana-related crimes.
The 2019 college admissions scandal in the United States, where more and 50 people were involved in a $25 million dollar bribery scheme, brought the issue of equality and equity in education to public attention in a shocking way. But education equality is about more than college admissions. This thoughtful book examines the issue of public education, education equality, and the education system’s role in helping students reach their full potential for the good of all.
Technology can make work easier, safer, and more fun. But some technology can also be harmful to the environment. Read about how we can make responsible choices in our use of technologies to help lessen the harm to the environment.
We can all make good choices to do our part to care for Earth. Read about the importance of reducing, reusing, and recycling, as well choosing items that can be used over and over.
Once thought to be extinct in the wild, the southern white rhino is now classified as near threatened and lives mostly on protected reserves. Over 100 years of conservation efforts have made it the only rhino of the five rhino species not listed as endangered. This engaging book explores how habitat loss and relentless poaching for their horns nearly brought this species to extinction. Readers will discover how this species was saved from extinction and whether similar strategies may help other rhino species in peril.
Less than two decades ago, four Island Fox subspecies faced extinction. Human activities, including pollution and the introduction of invasive species, threw the Channel Islands’ ecosystem out of balance. Thanks to the concerted efforts of wildlife biologists, government officials, and others, the island fox has made the fastest recovery of any mammal in the history of the Endangered Species Act. This fascinating book traces the events that nearly caused the island fox’s demise, and the collaborative efforts that led to recovery of this “comeback kit.”
The California Condor is one of North America’s largest birds. These mighty scavengers were nearly wiped out by habitat loss, poaching, and lead poisoning. In 1982, only 22 California Condors remained in the wild! In this engaging book, readers will learn about the captive breeding programs, public education, and other conservation efforts that have led to a small but increasing population of California Condors in the wild.
The Grand Cayman blue iguana is named after the small island in the Caribbean Sea on which it lives. The largest reptile on the island, it had few predators until people arrived. Habitat loss and invasive species quickly diminished the blue iguana population to fewer than 25 by 2005. This captivating book traces the iguana’s remarkable journey back from the brink of extinction and highlights the continued efforts to protect the species.
There are all kinds of families. Families can be big or small and they can change over time. Some families live together and others live apart. In every family there are people who love each other. Who's in your family?
People hold all kinds of beliefs. We may be Buddhists, Christians, Hindus, Jews, Muslims, or Sikhs, or belong to other religions. Some people have non-religious beliefs. We can show what we believe by how we dress, what we eat, how we behave, and how we treat other people. What are your beliefs?
Gratitude is an attitude that helps change negative feelings to positive ones. It helps us appreciate everything in life, even the simple things. Through many fun activities, such as practicing mindfulness, starting a gratitude journal, volunteering in a school or community, young readers will experience the power of gratitude. They will also learn to express their gratitude to friends, parents, teachers, and community workers verbally and in writing.
This fascinating book introduces children to the “butterfly effect,” a theory that states that a small change in the present, such as the simple flapping of a butterfly’s wings, can cause big changes to happen in the future. Children will learn how even their small acts of gentleness, kindness, and compassion to family, friends, classmates, and community can have huge positive impacts where they live, around the world, and most importantly on themselves.
This instructive book looks at schools as safe places where children of all backgrounds and abilities can build strong social and emotional skills and improve attitudes about themselves and others. Showing kindness, accepting differences, learning to resolve conflicts, and expressing gratitude makes school a happy place for both students and teachers.
Would you be surprised to see a coyote wandering down a suburban street? Once considered a native of open grasslands and plains, coyotes have become “adaptors” to the human territory of paved streets and houses. An examination reveals the ways in which animals such as coywolves, white-tailed deer, red foxes, red-tailed hawks, and alligators live on the periphery of developed areas. Special sections address encroachment and how humans can learn to adapt to wild animals in their backyards.
Paris, France has a population of 2.2 million people and 3.8 million rats. Toronto, Canada is the raccoon capital of the world. This intriguing book focuses on urban animals called “exploiters.” These are animals such as squirrels, raccoons, skunks, opposums, rats, and crows who have turned living near humans to their advantage. An examination reveals the ways in which these animals have adapted to living alongside humans. Special feature boxes address city-specific animal control and rehabilitation programs.
When you live in bear or cougar territory, you learn to lock your garbage cans indoors, keep your pets safe, and not feed wild animals. This exciting and highly illustrated book focuses on the “human avoiders,” animals that are sometimes found on the fringes of urban developments, where humans are the new kids on the block. Readers will gain an understanding of human-wildlife conflict, as well as key concepts in wildlife conservation of animals such as gray wolves, mountain lions, and gray foxes.
An estimated 70 million feral cats live in the United States alone—decimating bird populations and threatening public health. This informative book investigates the growing populations of "obligates"—abandoned pets, now wild and producing feral offspring, and introduced animals that live in urban and urban fringe areas. An examination reveals the impact these animals are having on resources, space, and native species. Additional content focuses on the charities and organizations that help care for and limit the numbers of feral animals.
This important book examines ways to meet the challenges facing Earth’s environment—one of the United Nation's sustainable development goals. From tackling ocean pollution to slowing climate change, readers will gain an understanding of how all the UN goals work together, and learn concrete strategies to inspire change. Profiles of youth-led movements and other collaborative efforts to help the environment will empower readers to get involved to restore and protect the health of environments.
This timely book examines the elimination of global poverty—one of the United Nation's sustainable development goals. From tackling hunger to creating fair work opportunities, readers will gain an understanding of how all the UN goals work together, and learn concrete strategies to inspire change. Profiles of youth-led movements and other collaborative efforts to end poverty will empower readers to get involved themselves and become change-makers.
This insightful book examines ways to reduce the global inequality of people—one of the United Nation's sustainable development goals. From tackling gender inequality to fighting for the right to a good education, readers will gain an understanding of how all the UN goals work together, and learn concrete strategies to inspire change. Profiles of youth-led movements and other collaborative efforts to fight inequality will empower readers to get involved to achieve equality for all global citizens.
This important book examines ways to reduce the negative impact of economic and urban growth on people and the environment—one of the United Nation's sustainable development goals. From reducing energy use to helping communities become safe and inclusive for all people, readers will gain an understanding of how all the UN goals work together, and learn concrete strategies to inspire change. Profiles of youth-led movements and other collaborative efforts to support responsible growth will empower readers to get involved in the movement to create a sustainable world.
From conflict-torn Somalia, to the massive Dadaab Refugee Camp in Kenya, and finally to a new home in Sweden, Fatuma’s family is used to constant change. Still, Sweden's cold winters and difficult language have required a lot of adjustment. There is hope, but also fear. Fatuma’s story gives readers a glimpse of how, even in countries that accept refugees, not everyone is fully accepting.
Baseema’s family was nearly torn apart by the terrorist violence of Boko Haram in her homeland of Nigeria. Forced to flee their farm, they relied on friends of her father for a home and support. Still unable to return, the family moves again to Kano, the second largest city in Nigeria, and struggles to survive. Baseema’s story gives a glimpse of how many refugees rely on extended networks of family and friends and how, with education disrupted, young women are often forced to marry early.
