Rebel Girls Climate Warriors: 25 Tales of Women Who Protect the Earth
By Abbye Sher, Carla Sinclair, Cristina Mittermeier, Nana Brew-Hammong, Sarah Parvis, Susanna Daniel
Illustrated by Alice Piaggio, Anine Bösenberg, Débora Islas, Fanesha Fabre, Georgie Stewart, Giulia Flamini, Jennifer M. Potter, Jing Li, Jui Talukder, Julia Kuo, Karyn Lee, Kasia Bogdańska, Katerina Voronina, Keturah Ariel, Lily Nie, Mira Miroslavova, Naki Narh, Nicole Rifkin, Pau Zamro, Ronique Ellis, Sarah Loulendo, Sarah Wilkins, Sofía Acosta-Varea (La Suerte), Thandiwe Tshabalala, Vanessa Lovegrove, Xuan Loc Xuan
“We often hear that our planet is in trouble, but what we don’t hear enough is that we have the power to save it.”
Rebel Girls: Climate Warriors introduces twenty-six women from all over the world and from various fields who have used their work, determination, and resourcefulness to relentlessly fight against the climate crisis in their own way. Each short biography is accompanied by a full-page portrait and a quote. The illustrations were created by female and non-binary artists from all around the world, each in their own style.
Beyond individual storytelling and the difficulties caused by age, gender, race, or nationality, this book conveys three important messages regarding climate activism. First, each action counts, however small it may be, and the combination of all our small actions can make things change. Second, we can transform climate anxiety into power and action. Third, climate activism is intertwined with other struggles, including feminism, anti-racism, decolonialism, and social justice. Students can identify which aspect(s) of each woman’s life was illustrated and discuss how it captures the essence of their fight or personality.
Teachers can use this book to explore different aspects of planet protection. They can focus on what can be done and talk about the necessity of preserving water and land (Ecuadorian activist Nemonte Nenquimo), recycling/upcycling (Nigerian “trashion” designer Esohe Ozigbo), reforestation (Kenyan activist Wangari Maathai), and protecting animals (Indian wildlife biologist Purnima Devi Barman). They can also focus on how it can be done, as some of these women choose activism and put pressure on governments and lawmakers (Swedish activist Greta Thunberg and French activist Lucie Pinson), some create new inventions (Australian scientist Angelina Arora and Thai landscape architect Kotchakorn Voraakhom), and others opt for education and community gathering (British-Bangladeshi ornithologist Mya-Rose Craig and Bahamian marine biologist Kristal Ambrose). Teachers can also prompt classroom conversations by discussing how these women support other women, how they denounce various forms of injustice and discrimination, and how they wisely use media to spread their message (television, books, films, newspapers, or social media). From a human point of view, emphasis can also be put on the fact that although most of these women have not always succeeded at first, they kept trying until their voice was heard, showing patience, courage, and resilience.
Readers are also engaged outside of the book itself. The final four pages list ways to celebrate nature (by taking pictures, drawing, writing, learning, or sharing) and to protect the planet (by eating plant-based snacks, reusing bottles and bags, buying locally or second-hand, or planting flowers). This can be the foundation of a multidisciplinary project at school. Readers are encouraged to use other platforms, such as the Rebel Girls App (throughout the book, five QR codes can be scanned in the app) or the Rebel Girls YouTube and Spotify channels. Teachers can use these features in class or as homework to show students that it is good practice to look for additional information elsewhere if they are interested in something.
©2026 ClimateLit (Sarah Caré)
More:
- This book is part of the 12-book Rebel Girls series: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/series/RGI/rebel-girls-minis/
- Rebel Girls App (only available on Apple devices)
Publisher: Rebel Girls, 2021
ISBN: 9781623108786
Pages: 62
Format: Nonfiction, Picturebooks
Topics: Activism, Biodiversity, Climate Anxiety, Climate Change, Climate Crisis, Climate Emergency, Climate Justice, Climate Organizations, Ecofeminism, Environmental Injustice, Grassroots Activism, Nature, Oceans, Planetary Health, Pollution, Reforestation, Resilience, Social media, Solutions, Youth Climate Activism





