We are often asked if a general course on climate change will become part of the Institute’s curriculum. At one time, we developed material for an Introduction to Climate Change course; however, a lot of excellent basic information is already available on the web for free, and we saw no need to recreate it. Thus, we have chosen to focus on more specific carbon management topics, unique in their content and rigor.For those of you seeking credible information on climate change, we would encourage you to visit the sites below, as a starting point. This list is by no means exhaustive, and an internet search of your own will surely uncover more valuable resources on climate change (as well, unfortunately, as a good amount of non-credible information).The
United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) provides a “Climate 101” video explaining climate change, signs or indicators that the planet is warming, and why it matters. Watch the video at
http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/basicinfo.html to learn more about the causes and effects of climate change and practical solutions to reduce carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions. The EPA also offers a comprehensive look at climate change on their website:
http://www.epa.gov/gateway/learn/climatechange.html. Learn about greenhouse gases, environmental effects of climate change, and how greater efficiencies and new technologies hold promise for solving this global challenge.
Earthwatch Institute offers an online resource exploring different aspects of climate change: http://www.earthwatch.org/europe/get_involved/involved_learning/learning_resources/resources_climatechange/. The website contains background information, case studies, discussion topics and links to related scientific and popular websites.
CAMEL (Climate, Adaptation, Mitigation, E-Learning) hosts a free, interdisciplinary, multi-media resource covering climate change. The website includes articles, case studies, podcasts, exercises, lectures, videos, and more. Explore causes, consequences, solutions and actions at http://www.camelclimatechange.org/.
The Science & Nature homepage of the BBC website offers a variety of perspectives on climate change through blogs, features, games, and videos. Learn how to tackle climate change by visiting http://www.bbc.co.uk/sn/hottopics/climatechange/climate_challenge/.
National Wildlife Federation (NWF) has partnered with former US Vice-President Al Gore and the makers of An Inconvenient Truth to bring the issue of global warming from the big screen to the classroom. An Inconvenient Truth in the Classroom is built around the Academy Award-winning documentary. Designed to encourage analysis of the science of global warming and its relevance to current events, this resource can be found at http://www.nwf.org/~/media/PDFs/Eco-schools/AITInTheClassroom7_08.ashx.