The day after Thanksgiving the government released the U.S. National Climate Assessment. Despite what some of our illustrious leaders say, the science is undeniable. Climate change is a real and present threat. The outlook is certainly grim.

It’s at that point that I find myself quoting Dr. Seuss. “Unless,” he wrote in The Lorax in 1971, “unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better, it’s not.” And then, I want to yell, “I care!” I want to holler from the rooftops and tweet and retweet, and champion renewable energy and recycling and public transportation. I want everyone to know and understand what is going on. And I want everyone to care. Because there IS room for hope.

But how do I make a difference in this big, big world? I’m not a scientist or engineer or politician. I am one person, trying to improve my own very small corner of the world. And I’m raising kids who are aware of the problems our planet faces. I’m trying to teach them to take small steps and that a lot of steps together equals change. Yet it’s not enough. How can I do more? And then I think…writing. I already write books for kids. I love it. So why not narrow my focus to more books about nature and environmental issues and biodiversity? It’s actually been an idea that’s been percolating for a while: build a platform on environmental writing for kids.

Now is the time.