My most recent #GeogramblingsReacts video had me diving into a topic that has many of us in the climate science community both infuriated and deeply concerned. Recently, the Essential Principles for Climate Literacy guide was amongst many other resources relating to climate change to be removed from the NOAA website by order of the current administration. This guide has been a cornerstone for educators, communicators, and decision-makers in promoting climate literacy.
The Importance of the Climate Literacy Guide
The “Climate Literacy: Essential Principles for Understanding and Addressing Climate Change” guide is an invaluable resource. It provides a comprehensive framework for understanding Earth’s climate, the impacts of climate change, and potential solutions. The guide is designed to stimulate dialogue, inform policy, and enhance education on climate issues. It’s a collaborative effort involving multiple federal agencies, including NASA, the Department of Defense, and the Department of the Interior.
Accessing the Guide Despite Censorship
Despite its removal from the NOAA website, you can still access this vital resource through the Internet Archive. Here are the links to the archived versions:
- Internet Archive version of the guide
- PDF version (archived here, but also uploaded to my server below)
Why This Matters
The removal of this guide is not just a political and highly idealogical decision; it’s a representation of the recent attacks to climate education and communication. The guide outlines essential principles such as:
- Understanding the climate system through interdisciplinary observation and modeling.
- The role of greenhouse gases in shaping Earth’s climate.
- The impact of human activities, like burning fossil fuels, on global warming.
- The rapid warming and its threats to human and natural systems.
- The potential for humans to adapt and build resilience against climate impacts.
- The importance of reducing greenhouse gas emissions to mitigate climate change.
These principles are crucial for fostering a climate-literate society capable of making informed decisions to safeguard the most vulnerable in society, and protect our planet.
My Personal Connection
As someone who has embedded this resource in numerous educational materials and recommended it widely, its removal feels like a personal loss. I’ve had the privilege of working with some of the brilliant minds during my time at NOAA Boulder in Colorado. The dedication and expertise of those folks and their colleagues across different agencies and federal departments are evident in every page of this document.
Moving Forward
While this censorship is disheartening, it’s essential to continue promoting and using these resources. I encourage you to download the guide, share it, and use it in your teaching and communication efforts. Let’s ensure that this valuable information remains accessible and continues to educate and inspire. I want to extend my heartfelt support to my colleagues at NOAA and other federal agencies who are facing job losses and other challenges simply for doing their jobs. Your work is invaluable, and your dedication to climate science and education is deeply appreciated.
Make no mistake, this is the 21st-century version of the burning of books. So if you can, use 21st-century methods to protect and promote knowledge and understanding that many folks have passionately worked so hard to discover for the benefit of humanity.
Thank you for reading, and please check out the links provided to access the guide. If you have any suggestions for future reaction videos, feel free to reach out on LinkedIn or Bluesky using the hashtag #GeogramblingsReacts.
Geogramblings 