TUCSON, Ariz.— A new series of children’s books highlights how human industries have shaped the environment over time and around the globe. Written by Center for Biological Diversity population and sustainability director Stephanie Feldstein, the six-book Planet Human series tells the story of how agriculture, digital communications, energy, fast fashion, pets and plastic changed the world.

“It’s hard for most people to grasp the scale of how much humans have fundamentally altered the face of the planet,” said Feldstein. “These books help kids understand what it means to live in a world of 8 billion people.”

Every day 227,000 people are added to the planet. The United Nations predicts that the human population will surpass 10 billion by the end of the century. As the world’s population grows, so do its demands for water, food, land, trees and energy — all of which come at a steep price for already-endangered plants and animals.

Global population growth and the destructive consumption habits of wealthy countries put pressure on biodiversity and human communities, increasing risks to public health, reducing resilience in the face of climate change, and diminishing the ability of ecosystems to recover.

“Today’s kids are experiencing human-driven climate change and biodiversity loss in real time,” said Feldstein. “These books don’t just show the problems that arise from an increasingly crowded planet. They’re filled with solutions, too.”

The books, published by Cherry Lake Publishing, are geared to grades 4 to 7 and available in paperback, e-book or reinforced binding for libraries and schools.

Feldstein is also the author of the Take Action: Save Life on Earth series, which helps kids understand threats to wildlife and how they can take action to help prevent extinction.