Buried Sunlight: How Fossil Fuels Have Changed the Earth
Illustrated by Molly Bang
“Billions of tons of fossil fuels – my sunlight energy – still lie locked deep inside the vaults of Earth. If you burn them up, Earth’s CO2 blanket sadwill grow thicker and thicker. Your Earth will warm so much it will change in ways that no one can predict for sure.”
Buried Sunlight: How Fossil Fuels Have Changed the Earth is narrated by the Sun and offers an easy-to-understand overview of the science behind global warming, fossil fuels, and climate change. Fossil fuels are formed from ancient plants that absorbed energy from the Sun millions of years ago. The plants were buried deep underground and eventually transformed into fuels such as oil, coal, and gas due to immense pressure. Humans have been burning these fossil fuels at a rapid rate, which is sending more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere than is healthy. The book implores humans to change their ways and instead turn to more eco-friendly power sources.
A great book for any science classroom, Buried Sunlight can be used to teach about humans’ long-term impact on the environment (see the Anthropocene). By using a simple comparison to a blanket, the book breaks down the global warming crisis in a way that would be easy for young students to understand. Although it is true that Earth has undergone many environmental changes throughout its history, the current speed at which these changes are occurring has become deeply concerning, largely due to human activity. Industrialization has created dramatic climate shifts within just a few centuries, a stark contrast to the gradual changes of the past (see deep time). The book calls out humans for our selfish behavior while still reminding us that we are the only ones who can reverse the damage we’ve done: “The future of our species, and that of most others, will be determined by the choices we make.”
The book’s back matter delves deeper into these topics of global warming and human impact, providing additional facts and suggesting actionable ways to address the climate crisis. Within this section, the book promotes the use of renewable energy and forms of energy conservation. It reminds readers that “[w]e will have to restructure our world – to design our houses, office buildings, factories, and all our vehicles to be much more energy-efficient.” Overall, Buried Sunlight’s climate science teachings provide a great foundation for educating students about the need for sustainable solutions in an increasingly resource-heavy world.
©2025 Climate Lit (Alexandra Delacruz)
More:
- See more reviews from the Sunlight Series here.
- Buried Sunlight Teaching Resources (author-approved!):
Publisher: The Blue Sky Press, 2014
ISBN: 978-0545577854
Pages: 48
Lexile Score: NC860L
Format: Nonfiction, Picturebooks
Topics: Anthropocene, Climate Change, Climate Science, Deep Time, Fossil Fuels, Global Warming, Renewable Energy



