Women leaders are showing us the way to a sustainable future

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These women leaders are based in 10 countries: the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Sweden, Denmark, Tanzania, Australia, Sri Lanka, India, and Hong Kong. They will inspire you with their intelligence, creativity, and courage.

COOL is the first book to document the work of women climate leaders globally. It is also Paola Gianturco’s seventh book about women internationally.

Paola and her then-12-year-old granddaughter and co-author, Avery Sangster, interviewed and photographed women activists, politicians, corporate executives, scholars, heads of grassroots groups, and presidents of organizations.

COOL: Women Leaders Reversing Global Warming tells their important stories in their own words and suggests things you can do to help them on their existential journey.

One hundred percent of the author royalties from this book benefit the Women’s Earth Alliance, providing seed money to women around the world who are launching business and nonprofit ventures that will help reverse global warming.

Praise for COOL

"The authors sound a powerful call to arms in the fight against global warming…this upbeat primer provides a fresh, inspiring, and fun look at how everyone can make an impact when it comes to protecting the planet. An engaging tome packed with statistics, personal stories, and helpful suggestions."

Kirkus Reviews

COOL highlights new perspectives coupled with the energy and wisdom of female leaders. The book’s action orientation distinguishes it from other climate books. Fresh perspectives and new vantage points make COOL a page turner.”

Cynthia Eisenberg
World Wildlife Fund's Northern Great Plains Advisory Committee

“It is so COOL to finally see more stories about women at the frontlines take centre stage, especially in the work to combat climate change. We owe it to the determination and commitment of women and girls like Paola and Avery who continue everyday to capture and document women’s lives around the world and the positive impact women can contribute.”

Melati Wisjen
Founder of Bye Bye Plastic Bags and YOUTHTOPIA

“What a timely and welcome book! The women and girls portrayed in COOL are making a difference in combating climate change and we all need to learn about and from them. Once again Paola Gianturco has beautifully surveyed everyday activism across the globe, this time in partnership with her granddaughter Avery Sangster, whose generation inherits this challenge.”

Estelle Freedman
Co-founder of the Program in Feminist, Gender, and Sexuality Studies
Stanford University

“Paola Gianturco has done it again! Her newest book, COOL, written with her granddaughter, Avery Sangster, documents the contributions of women saving the planet, this time addressing global warming. Diverse women are the most powerful force on Earth to create a better future for all, and COOL tells their compelling stories with a beauty that gives hope."

Dr. Jackie Bouvier Copeland
Founder, The WISE Fund (Women Invested to Save Earth) 

“For decades, Paola has been bringing us incredible images and stories from around the world about women, change and the power of grannies. True to form, she now pairs up with her granddaughter about the climate emergency. And the results? An utterly gorgeous playful scrapbook filled with heroine stories and recipes, every day solutions and bold new ideas. As someone working at the frontlines of the climate crisis and human rights I know just how many people are asking ‘what else can I do?’ In this essential and hopeful book, you’ll be inspired and activated to make change for sustainable living with your family and community in honestly joyful ways because these ordinary and extraordinary women show us how.”

Joanna Kerr
Former Executive Director of Greenpeace, Canada

“Award-winning photojournalist Paola Gianturco has given us another gem of a book, COOL: Women Leaders Reversing Global Warming. Written with her granddaughter Avery Sangster, this beautifully illustrated book takes us to countries the world over where women and girls are reframing our ideas of what it means to take care of the earth and its environment.

“The stories of women planting mangrove trees, designing vegetable-based-plastic toys, and organizing to limit carbon emissions are inspiring. Gianturco and Sangster encourage all of us to take the small steps needed that may make a big difference.

“I have followed Paola Gianturco’s books over many years—beginning with her groundbreaking In Her Hands and Celebrating Women and including the magnificent Grandmother Power. With COOL she looks toward the future with much hope and determination. Bravo, Paola!”

Susan Krieger
Clayman Institute for Gender Research
Stanford University

“In this remarkable and beautiful book, Paola Gianturco documents the resilience, creativity and tenacity of women-led movements and initiatives that protect the planet — and people — in ways that ensure survival and solidarity.”

Kavita N. Ramdas
feminist activist

COOL: Women Leaders Reversing Global Warming


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