New Guide Aims to Improve Public Climate Literacy  

March 18, 2009

Climate Literacy: The Essential Principles of Climate Science.
Climate Literacy: The Essential Principles of Climate Science. (high
<http://climate.noaa.gov/education/pdfs/ClimateLiteracy-8.5x11-March09...
R.pdf>  and low
<http://climate.noaa.gov/education/pdfs/ClimateLiteracyPoster-8.5x11-M...
FinalLR.pdf>  resolution report)

High <http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories2009/images/climateliteracy.jpg>
resolution still (Credit: NOAA)

A guide is now available to help individuals of all ages understand how
climate influences them -- and how they influence climate. A product of the
U.S. Climate Change Science Program, it was compiled by an interagency group
led by NOAA.  

"As climate policy is being discussed, it is very important for the citizens
of our nation to have an appreciation for some of the fundamental aspects of
climate and climate change," said Tom Karl
<http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/about/welcomefromdirector.html> , director of
NOAA <http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/ncdc.html> 's National Climatic Data
Center in Asheville, N.C., and lead for NOAA's climate services. "This guide
is a first step for people who want to know more about the essential
principles of our climate system, how to better discern scientifically
credible information about climate, and how to identify problems related to
understanding climate and climate change."

Climate Literacy: The Essential Principles of Climate Science is available
online at: http://www.noaa.gov/climateliteracy.html and
http://www.climatescience.gov. It is also being distributed to teachers
attending the National Science Teachers Association meeting this week in New
Orleans.

"There is so much misinformation about climate. We want to provide an easily
readable document to help everyone make the most informed decisions," said
Karl. "Having one product endorsed by the nation's top federal science
agencies, as well as leading science centers and associations, makes this
document an essential resource."

The 13-page guide includes information on how people can help reduce climate
change and its impacts. It also defines important terms and concepts used
when talking about climate and approaches to adaptation and mitigation.

NOAA, the National Science Teachers Association, and TERC, an educational
non-profit organization, are working with education leaders to revise state
standards using this framework. The materials will also provide the basis
for educator resources and professional development.