Climate Literacy 101
When we increase Climate Literacy, we enable students to take action on climate change.
Many groups are working to advance Climate Literacy and promote the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) at all levels of education. Teach Earth Action believes that Climate Literacy is inextricably linked to all disciplines and areas of a college campus.
We define Climate Literacy as the ability to:
see the earth as a living entity and understand how ecosystems work
thread climate through everything we do
recognize the impacts of climate change on people and planet both locally and globally
act on climate change
To achieve these goals, students and teachers should learn the fundamentals of climate change. Below are a few resources to help you climatize your curriculum and increase your students’ Climate Literacy. In addition to these resources, Teach Earth Action can support you to climatize your curriculum.
Tipping Points
Adaptation and Mitigation
Greenhouse Gases and the Greenhouse Effect
Greenhouse Gases and the Greenhouse Effect
Biodiversity and Species Extinction
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Climate Literacy: The Essential Principles of Climate Science is an interagency guide that provides a framework and essential principles for formal and informal education about climate change. It presents important information for individuals and communities to understand Earth's climate, impacts of climate change, and approaches for adapting and mitigating change. Principles in the guide can serve as discussion starters or launching points for scientific inquiry. The guide can also serve educators who teach climate science as part of their science curricula.
Climate Literacy and Energy Awareness Network (CLEAN) provides a comprehensive library of lesson plans, assignments, and activities to increase students’ Climate Literacy. You can search their library here:
NASA provides robust models, images, videos, and explanations of the earth’s changing climate. These sources can be integrated into any assignment.
The National Center for Science Education (NCSE) and the Half-Earth Project Educator Ambassadors Program offers resources, lessons, and activities on the fundamentals of climate science and biodiversity.
Inside Climate News and Climate News Network provide essential reporting and analysis on climate change and energy. Both organizations serve as a great resource for you and your students to stay up to date on climate news.