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Why We Need A Climate Literate Society
Frank Niepold
Climate Program Office,
Washington, D.C., USA
http://www.climate.gov/
How well do US college graduates
understand important science ideas?
1.
A seed grows into
a large tree.
Where did the
mass of the tree
come from?
1.
What if I told you
that the mass
comes mainly from
the carbon dioxide
in the air?
Defining Climate
Literacy
• WEATHER AND CLIMATE
• USE OF EARTH’S RESOURCES
• ENERGY RESOURCES
• INTERDEPENDENCE OF LIFE
• SCIENTIFIC INVESTIGATIONS
• INTERACTION OF TECHNOLOGY
AND SOCIETY
• DECISIONS ABOUT USING
TECHNOLOGY
• PATTERNS OF CHANGE
• MORE TO COME…
Climate Science Literacy is…
…an understanding of your influence on climate and climate’s
influence on you and society.
A climate literate person:
• understands the essential principles of Earth’s climate system,
• knows how to assess scientifically credible information about climate,
• communicates about climate and climate change in a meaningful way, and
• is able to make informed and responsible decisions with regard to actions
that may affect climate.
Climate Literacy is…
…a continuum of competency and is an ongoing process.
Literacy
Progression
Target
Audiences
INFORMED
DECISION MAKING
KNOWLEDGE
Climate
science
engaged
Climate science attentive
Climate science interested
AWARENESS
Uninterested and/or unaware
Guiding Principle. Humans can take actions to reduce climate change and its
impacts
1. The Sun is the primary source of energy for Earth’s climate system
2. Climate is regulated by complex interactions among components of the Earth
system.
3. Life on Earth depends on, is shaped by, and affects climate
4. Climate varies over space and time through both natural and man-made
processes
5. Our understanding of the climate system is improved through observations,
theoretical studies, and modeling
6. Human activities are impacting the climate system
7. Climate change will have consequences for the Earth system and human
lives
Special Events at National Science 2010
Teachers Association Annual Conference
NOAA Education (NOS CED, NERRS, ONMS, CRCP, OAR
CPO, NWS, NESDIS)
A half-day symposium and day long series of sessions, "Climate Change
Here and Now: Coastal, Ocean and Atmospheric Impacts" on March
18 & 19
Dr. Jane Lubchenco
Shell Science Seminar: Presentation: Building an Environmentally
Literate Workforce through STEM Education on March 19
Louisa Koch
Featured Panel: Gathering Storm or Gathering Cobwebs? What Is the
Federal Response to the Science Education Crisis? on March 19
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NOAA Climate Professional
Development Webinar Series
Date
November 5, 2009
Title
“Climate Change, Here and Now: Western Regional
Climate Impacts”
Featured Scientist(s)
Katharine Hayhoe
Texas Tech University
November 17, 2009
“Climate Change, Here and Now: Eastern Regional
Climate Impacts”
Tim Owen
NOAA NCDC
December 15, 2009
“Monitoring the Impacts of Climate Change on
Corals”
Mark Eakin
NOAA Coral Reef Watch
January 14, 2010
“Higher Than a Sea-Bird’s Eye View: Coral Reef
Remote Sensing Using Satellites
Margaret Mooney
Steve Ackerman
CIMSS, U.W, Madison
April 20, 2010
“Impact of Climate Change on West Coast Marine
Mammals”
Siri Hakala, NMFS
May 6, 2010
“Impact of Climate Change on East Coast Fisheries”
NMFS TBD
Fall 2010
“Climate Change and Ocean Acidification”
CRCP TBD
Fall 2010
“Climate Change and Sea Level Rise”
William Sweet
NOS CO-OPS
November 10, 2010
“Climate Change and Coastal Communities”
Chris Bowser and NERRS Climate
Education Working Group
http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/fall09/NOAA/webseminar.aspx
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Frank Niepold
http://www.climate.gov/
Climate Education Coordinator
Climate Program Office (UCAR),
Washington, D.C., USA
[email protected]