The American Geophysical Union Steps It Up on Climate Science Education

Abstract

As newspaper headlines remind us on a daily basis, climate change—and its associated floods, droughts, extreme weather, and sea-level rise—is a challenge to humanity in ways that require a multi-pronged attack. This includes scientific research, engineering innovation, governmental policy, societal awareness, and both formal and informal education. To address this challenge, the American Geophysical Union (AGU), a leading facilitator of research in Earth and space science (ESS) with over 60,000 members, has responded to requests from educators for policy action and scientific resources by creating two resources, specifically: (1) a pair of position statements for use by educators concerning the importance of teaching about climate science, and (2) an open access collection of leading climate science articles, published in AGU journals.

Keywords:

• Informal Education
• Climate Change
• Earth & Space Science
• Environmental Science
• Instructional Materials
• Literacy
• STEM

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Michael E. Wysession

Michael E. Wysession ([email protected]) is a professor at Washington University in St Louis in St Louis, Missouri.

Tanya Furman

Tanya Furman is a research professor at Penn State - Main Campus in University Park, Pennsylvania.

Missy Holzer

Missy Holzer is a science standards specialist at Great Minds PBC - PhD Science in Somerset, New Jersey.

Jacqueline Houghton

Jacqueline Houghton is an associate professor at the University of Leeds in Leeds, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Cathryn A. Manduca

Cathryn A. Manduca is founding director of the Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College in Northfield, Minnesota.

Stephanie Pfirman

Stephanie Pfirman is a professor at Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona.

Victor J. Ricchezza

Victor J. Ricchezza is an assistant professor at Georgia State University Perimeter College in Clarkston, Georgia.

Vincent Tong

Vincent Tong is an associate professor at Northumbria University at Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.