Build it yourself

Prompts readers to think about the choices they make that generate garbage, looks at ways to reduce, reuse, and recycle, discusses the history of garbage, and includes hands-on projects.

Biodiversity is found everywhere on the planet--on land, in the water, and even in extreme environments such as ice and volcanoes. All of this biodiversity on Earth helps keep the planet in balance. Biodiversity is also important to humans because it provides food, shelter, clothing, medicines, and more. However, the rates of biodiversity loss are increasing because of human activities. Climate change, pollution, habitat destruction, over-exploitation--these are all critical threats to biodiversity. There are, however, ways to slow or stop this loss through conservation and sustainable development.

An activities-complemented introduction to America's foundation of democracy explains how and why such documents as the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution, and the Bill of Rights still have an important impact on our country today.