Climate Education Resources

Incorporating climate literacy and education about climate change into schools is an important factor in making Montgomery County a more sustainable community and necessary to meet our goal of zero carbon emissions by 2035. In the days of COVID-19, in person trainings on climate change education are few and far between, but there are a wide variety of online resources on how to incorporate climate literacy into classrooms. Having conversations about climate change and its impacts on our community can help students and teachers better understand the experiences of others not only in their community, but on a regional, national, and global level.

Online Resources

Here is a list of online resources for teachers and community members to better educate themselves, their peers, and their students on climate change and its multifaceted and inequitable effects. This list is in no way exhaustive, but merely a jumping off point to start conversations about how to best incorporate climate literacy into the spaces we occupy on a day to day basis. Schools can take these recommendations and adapt them to suit their own needs and the needs of their students. Happy learning!

Resources for Teachers

Henderson, J., & Drewes, A. (Eds.) (2020). Teaching climate change in the United States. New York: Routledge.

This is a book written by a climate educator and talks about ways in which to incorporate climate change into school curriculum. The book includes case studies from school districts around the United States.

California Environmental Education Framework

• https://www.californiaeei.org/media/1445/epc_eei-curriculum-flyer.pdf
• https://www.californiaeei.org
• California has rigorous climate change educational requirements and this is the link to their website that includes their curriculum for students of all ages. This resource is especially helpful because it offers curriculum for history and social science classes as well as Earth science classes.

Premade curriculum from Stanford

• https://earth.stanford.edu/climate-change-ed
• This curriculum from Stanford is of a similar caliber to the previously listed curriculum, but is slightly more science based rather than incorporating climate discussions into other classes.

8 Ways To Teach Climate Change In Almost Any Classroom

• https://www.npr.org/2019/04/25/716359470/eight-ways-to-teach-climate-change-in-almost-any-classroom
• This article from NPR talks about ways to creatively incorporate climate change discussions into preexisting curriculum. Many of these activities could be completed while students are still learning from home.

NASA’s Global Climate Change webpage

• https://climate.nasa.gov/resources/education/
• This website offers articles and activities for students to read and complete focusing on climate change.

National Geographic

• https://www.nationalgeographic.org/education/
• National Geographic offers a wide range of activities and lesson plans about climate change and the natural world.

NOAA

• https://www.climate.gov/teaching
• NOAA offers a Climate Literacy primer available in both English and Spanish for students of all ages.

American Association of Geographers

• https://www.aag.org/
• Offers modules and lessons about climate change for science classes, but also history and social studies classes.

Center for Climate and Energy Solutions

• https://www.c2es.org/content/teacher-resources/
• This website offers a list of resources suited for the home classroom during the days of distance learning. These resources include pintables, engaging educational videos, and hands-on activities requiring materials that can usually be found around the house.

Alliance for Climate Education

• https://acespace.org
• This resource focuses on older students and getting them involved in global climate change education and leadership training.

College Consensus

• https://www.collegeconsensus.com/resources/college-sustainability-guide/
• This article from College Consensus contains ideas and actions college students can take on campus and at home to encourage and practice sustainability.

Written and compiled by: Sarah Kallgren, Climate Intern