About

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About the Center

The Center for Climate Literacy is a unit of the Department of Curriculum and Instruction within the College of Education and Human Development at the University of Minnesota. Since 2022, we have been working diligently to support educators in bringing climate literacy education to all. 

Mission

Vision

Defining Climate Literacy

For the past several decades, climate literacy has been defined as a climate science literacy—that to be considered climate literate, you understand the science of climate change: greenhouse gas effects, C02 PPM, carbon emissions, etc. Of course, climate science literacy is important. But the common understanding of climate literacy as a climate science literacy has not been enough. We need more than data to move people to action, and we will need more than data to ensure that the transition to a green society is also a just transition. 

 

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration recently revised their handbook on climate literacy to reflect a similarly inclusive understanding of the term. You can read more about NOAA's expanded definition here

 

 

Our Committments

Commitment to Climate Literacy. We believe that in order to transition to an ecological civilization we need to achieve universal climate literacy. We need to become a climate literate society. Climate literacy is an understanding that includes numbers and facts (i.e. climate science) but centers on developing values, attitudes, and behavioral change aligned with how we should live to build sustainable futures.

Commitment to Education. We believe that teaching about climate change should be at the heart of our educational practice. Climate literacy can be scaffolded, integrated across all subject areas, and taught to all K-16 students and across all subject areas.

Commitment to Stories. We believe that stories are the primary tool for building universal climate literacy. Literature, film, games, and art for young people are not additional but the most important avenues for raising climate awareness and mobilizing action.

 

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Read our Annual Reports

2024

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2023

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