Climate change has local and global impacts. We are already seeing changes in the climate here in the Chicago region– and we’re seeing changes in natural systems and urban infrastructure, too.
When talking to people about climate change, it’s helpful to talk about familiar, local examples to make it clear that this complex, global issue is really a lot of local issues.
The resources listed below will lead you to exceptional tools for climate communication, education and engagement. The regional resources will help you focus your education and engagement efforts in Chicago and the Great Lakes region.
The program conducts research and surveys, including the well-regarded Global Warming’s Six Americas project, about public opinion and behavior. They also provides excellent resources for engaging with different audiences about climate change.
The Center uses social science to guide informed decision-making. One excellent research project investigates public perception of climate change; look for their report on the Six Americas.
This online network is a forum for sharing resources for community engagement and climate action.
regional climate engagement resources / Chicago & Great Lakes
Several engagement toolkits can help make community connections and develop climate action plans that are based on community assets and concerns in the Chicago region.
This toolkit includes tools that help community groups incorporate climate action into their work. Tools helps communities gather stories, identify assets and take take action on climate change, locally, with a focus on the Great Lakes region.
The Chicago Community Climate Action Toolkit includes climate science and action tools for community engagement. Explore case studies of climate action that is improving residents’ quality of life in four Chicago communities.
This curriculum for grades 5-12 draws on student-collected data (with Project Budburst) and NASA data to help students understand climate change with personal, local and global context.
The Great Lakes Climate Change Curriculum includes basic climate science and activities that connect climate change to aquatic invasive species, shifting forest communities and the Great Lakes. Look at the right-hand column of the website for the lessons.
This framework of principles was developed by NOAA / The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to highlight key concepts that everyone should know about climate change. Available in English and Spanish
This professional network supports teachers as they incorporate climate change into their curriculum– by evaluating teaching tools, providing webinars and facilitating networks.
Published in March 2019 by the National Science Teachers Association, this curriculum for grades 7-12, includes lessons on climate science, data evaluation and climate solutions. Available as a book or pdf. View a sample here.
They offer lesson plans for grades 3-12, that cross a variety of topics from science, to civics, history, art and more. Available to purchase or to download for free.
This site provides educational materials for younger students, providing a foundation in basic earth science. The site includes online games and activities that can be done at home or in the classroom.
This helpful tool breaks down the Next Generation Science Standards by subject and grade level, making it easy to find the relevant standards. It was developed by the National Science Teachers Association.
This non-profit helps to ensure accurate science education, by providing tools for teachers and monitoring state and national educational policy. Find information about teaching evolution and climate change on their site.
There are lots of places that offer free or cheap school supplies and art supplies to teachers and non-profits. Check out this guide to art& school supply exchanges in the Chicago region.
Climate clinics are full-day workshops that help non-formal and formal educators learn the science of climate change and strategies for teaching climate change in nature centers, schools, and communities. The focus is on issues and resources in the Chicago Wilderness region (which includes northeastern Illinois, northwestern Indiana and southeastern Wisconsin).
