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Eco-friendly South Tyneside residents are encouraged to read up on climate change as Borough libraries showcase some of the best books in the fight against the global crisis.

The libraries have each taken delivery of a set of 15 books to display during South Tyneside's Climate Summit Week, which is running from 1 to 5 November to coincide with the UN's 26^th annual climate change Conference of the Parties (COP26).

The selection includes titles for all ages and ranges from new and engaging fiction to non-fiction books, all with an environmental theme.

Titles include children's stories such as The Bear in the Stars by Alexis Snell and Nathan Byron's Clean Up!as well as adult books Mike Berners-Lee's There is No Planet Band No One is too Small to Make a Difference by Greta Thunberg.A variety of new e-books and audio books are also available.

Councillor Joan Atkinson, Deputy Leader of Â鶹ÊÓƵ with responsibility for Culture and Leisure, said: "Books are a powerful resource to help inform, educate and inspire our response to the global crisis we are facing and it is only right we continue to champion a carbon neutral future for the Borough using every opportunity we can.

"With titles for both children and adults available, the book selection covers various aspects of climate change, from celebrating the wonders of nature and how we can reduce our impact on the environment to exploring the ecological costs of progress.

"Through these library displays, and the wider work of the Council, we hope to educate and encourage people to read and learn about the climate crisis and about how they can affect real change. It starts with the small things we all do in our everyday lives, from the way we travel and how much water we use to what we eat.

"We hope people take advantage of the books and other resources on offer in Borough libraries and use them to open up further discussions about the future of our planet."

The book displays are just one of a series of events and activities taking place during the Climate Summit Week. The week focuses on the actions being taken by the Council in helping to meets its ambitious carbon reduction targets, while highlighting how local residents, businesses and schools can also play their part.

Other events include litter picks, nature walks, free filming screenings and displays promoting the Council's innovative ocean projects, ground-breaking renewable energy networks and habitat restoration schemes.

Councillor Atkinson added: "In 2019 we set ourselves an ambitious target to become a carbon neutral council by 2030. This is set out in our strategy, Sustainable South Tyneside,which seesclimate change embedded in all we do. Throughout the Climate Summit Week we aim to showcase all this positive action while involving our communities on our journey to a greener, cleaner and more sustainable future."

For the full programme of Climate Summit Week events, visit the Council's website at www.southtyneside.gov.uk/article/73595/COP26-Climate-Summit-Week More information about South Tyneside libraries is available at www.southtyneside.gov.uk/libraries