No One is Too Small to Make a Difference
April 2020
Overall verdict: ★ ★ ★
To buy this book, click here.
Why this book?
As I read this book, the myriad uses of these speeches sprung to mind; from use in assemblies, using the quotes in lessons or using the speeches as resources to name but a few. This a short and accessible book that could be enjoyed by all ages- from Year 7 through to the most well-read teacher!
For students:
This short book forces you to think about our current global economic and political system. With our knowledge of climate change, we know we need to change but how are we going to do it and why is no one acting? Greta’s speeches are passionate and clear in their message- you’ll put this book down and want to take action!
For teachers:
The book is full of powerful quotes but three quotes stood out for me- linked to the teaching of globalisation, interdependence and climate change:
“The bigger your carbon footprint- the bigger your moral duty. The bigger your platform- the bigger your responsibility.” (p.24)
“We need a whole new way of thinking. The political system that you have created is all about competition. You cheat when you can, because all that matters is to win, to get power. That must come to an end, we must stop competing with each other, we need to cooperate and work together and to share the resources of the planet in a fair way. We need to start living within the planetary boundaries, focus on equity and take a few steps back for the sake of all living species.” (p.36)
“Every time we make a decision we should ask ourselves: how will this decision affect that curve? We should no longer measure our wealth and success in the graph that shows economic growth, but in the curve that shows the missions of greenhouse gases. We should no longer only ask: ‘Have we got enough money to go through with this? But also ‘Have we got enough of the carbon budget to spare to go through with this?’ That should and must become the centre of our new currency.” (p.64)
To buy this book, click here.