Many young people and adults are rudely awakening to the fact that unchecked climate change and other widespread environmental issues paint a gloomy picture of their future. This knowledge can lead to a sense of fear, helplessness or worse, apathy.

This book aims to help stem those concerns by shining an inspiring and entertaining light on the lives of daring, dedicated individuals whose great passion, talents, and heart are helping to tip the environmental balance away from destruction and collapse towards hope, healing and personal empowerment.

Based on personal interviews and extensive research, this book tells engaging stories about a wide variety of people from across Canada who share a great passion for the environment. But beyond a deep personal connection with nature, these "environmental trailblazers" are doing truly unique and amazing things to protect the environment, while leading others down greener paths full of hope and positive action!

Jamie Bastedo, former CBC North host and author of Shield Country: The Life and Times of the Oldest Piece of the Planet, Reaching North: A Celebration of the Subarctic and Blue Lake and Rocky Shores, reflects on the charm and mystery of the Canadian Shield. He writes to inform and to inspire, telling a "story of place." He lives in Yellowknife, NWT and operates a touring company that takes tourists on tours of the North and also runs an environmental consulting company.

Jamie Bastedo's profile page

• Commended, Quill & Quire's Books of the Year: Books for Young People