Teaching about climate change
With the eyes of the world on Copenhagen this week, it’s a good time to spotlight resources for teaching about climate change. I mean educating in the broadest sense—spreading the word about climate change and what to do about it, whether in a classroom, on a blog, in a magazine, or at the neighborhood coffee shop. So here are a few teaching aids:
DOT EARTH: The blog of Andrew Revkin, New York Times correspondent on climate change. Revkin will be leaving the Times shortly (budget cuts) but hopes to continue writing this influential blog. The go-to place for what’s happening in the science and politics of global warming.
COVERING CLIMATE CHANGE: A free online course by Tom Julsman of the Center for Environmental Journalism at CU Boulder. It’s not just for journalists. As the opening words of the course say:
You say you have no intention of becoming an environmental reporter?
Well, guess what? You already are one.
Climate talk has moved way past science and into everyone’s backyards. Everything you do today, from brushing your teeth to fixing dinner, has climate change implications. The more you know, the better choices you can make—and help others make.
CLIMATE ETHICS BLOG: It’s not just about individual choices. It’s about the fact that the habits of a small part of the world—us—are wrecking the living conditions for vast numbers of people and creatures in other parts of the world. Connect with people thinking about the social justice implications. Blog by the Rock Ethics Institute at Penn State.
TEACHERS’ GUIDE TO CLIMATE CHANGE: For K-12 teachers in particular. A comprehensive guide to “high-quality educational materials on climate change and global warming.” Includes lesson plans.
HOT QUESTIONS ABOUT CLIMATE CHANGE: Last, but certainly not least, a series of four commonly asked questions about climate change. Produced by UCAR at the National Center for Atmospheric Research here in Boulder and narrated by cool chick Sharon Glassman:
- 1. What difference can a few degrees make?
- 2. Can people really change the climate?
- 3. Can’t we wait and fix the climate until things get really bad?
- 4. It’s cold here today—whatever happened to global warming?
For the video answers to questions 2–4, see the UCAR site.
Share your favorite teaching aids on climate change in the comments below.
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The Copenhagen Conference has certainly (once again) raised awareness about the perils restulting from the earth’s rapidly changing climate. But it’s the demonstrations (including number arrested) tha makes headlines and news videos. We don’t read much about substantive agreements or other progress. The UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has come with an initiative to “greenify” the travel and tourism industry. See http://travel-babel.blogspot.com/2009/12/travel-industry-to-tackle-climate.html for early info.
More news has come out in the last two days about substantive agreements. They’re not where they need to be to curb climate change, but maybe they’re a start. I’m encouraged by initiatives like the one you cite. We’ll need every industry on board to turn this ship in a different direction.