Concern about our impact on the environment has come to the forefront in recent years. While many people take steps to support conservation, most tend to carry on without taking action. Not so for environmental activist Caitlyn Vernon. The Victoria-based author has issued a rallying call to young people with her debut book.

The Great Bear Rainforest, a massive temperate rainforest on the West Coast of Canada, is the focus of both Vernon’s personal activism and her book. Jam-packed with history, biology, geography, ecology, environmental studies, personal anecdotes, gorgeous pictures, and activities, the book looks like, and indeed could be, a superior textbook.

With a personable approach, Vernon guides readers through the rainforest, exploring the ecosystems in detail. She also  addresses issues such as over-fishing and fish farms, First Nations’ land claims, and residential schools.

This comprehensive collection is cohesive, accessible, and easy to read. Chapters contain small sections with sidebars and commentary boxes that are informative, engaging, and most importantly, serve not only to educate, but also invite readers to become involved in environmental initiatives.

Striking a balance between the scientific, the environmental, and the political, Vernon reaches out to her audience on a personal level. She acknowledges how easy it is to turn away and do nothing, and how scary thinking about these issues can be. Then she encourages young readers to start making changes, and illustrates how small actions can have large impacts.

Well deserving of a place in the classroom as well as at home, this book is a realistic, reassuring, and empowering call to action for future generations.