The phrase "climate change"  often elicits polarized reactions from the public in the United States and globally. Strong disbelievers often equate climate change to a larger political agenda or consider it a lesser of evils - that there are more important issues in the world such as employment, crime rates, health, etc.  On the other hand,  advocates of climate change initaitive use heavy scientific data to explain climate change, confusing and even alienating potential followers. 

The question is then how does one communicate such technical data to the undecided?

On Day 4 of the June 2014 CityLinks Fort Lauderdale- Legazpi, Philippines exchange, Cedric Daep,Department Head of Albay Public Safety and Emergency Management Office and Executive Director of the Climate Change Academy, met with Dr. Julie Lambert, Principal Investigator (PI) of NASA's Climate Science Investigation (CSI), to discuss these issues of climate change literacy.

Currently being piloted in Florida, under CSI, Dr Lambert and her team are tasked to develop an online curriculum for high school and undergraduate students to analyze and use NASA data to address the public’s questions and commonly held misconceptions about climate change and communication strategies.

Dr. Lambert presented on CSI's progress and teaching modules as well as provided additional resources including one of my favorites,  "How to talk to an ostrich" 

This topic of climate change literacy touches on a larger theme in the climate change advocacy field. Climate change advocacy can not only focus on the research or policy change.  Because climate change is so driven by consumption and the daily lifestyle choices of individuals, the field has to invest in resources and training to equip individuals of all ages with a) accessible information to influence their lifestyle choices and b) communication skills to share such knowledge with their peers. 

Visit the CSI website for information!