LibGuides: Literacies: Climate Literacy

Climate Literacy Kit

Reserve the K-2 Kit today!

The resources below are video links and resources from each of the lessons in the Grades K-2 Climate Literacy Kit.

Lesson 1: Weather Watchers

A Wonderful World of Weather by Kay Barnham; Maddie Frost (Illustrator)
ISBN: 9780778782469
Publication Date: 2020-07-31

An Intro to the NWS & Weather
(18:36) This video is geared toward lower elementary school children, providing a basic introduction to the National Weather Service, weather instruments, ingredients for thunderstorms, and weather safety.
Peep & The Big Wide World: Stormy Weather
(8:52) Peep's first encounter with thunder and lightning makes for a wet and tumultuous day.
For interactive games for kids, activities for parents to do with their kids, and resources for preschool educators, visit the PEEP Web site at http://www.peepandthebigwideworld.org.

Lesson 2: Seasons in Motion

As an Oak Tree Grows by G. Brian Karas
ISBN: 0399176039
Publication Date: January 1, 2016

The Ultimate Guide to Seasons Song
(1:18) Seasons | Seasons of the Year | This clever animated song explains all about the four seasons of the year - spring, summer, autumn and winter.

Lesson 3: Weather vs. Climate

See Inside Weather and Climate by Katie Daynes
ISBN: 9781805319542
Publication Date: 2023-06-27

What's the Difference Between Weather & Climate?
(2:00) What is the difference between weather and climate? This short video explains the differences between the two and how they are related.
Crash Course Kids: Weather vs. Climate
(4:32) So we have weather and climate... but are they the same thing? No, no they are not. But they are both super important to how the geosphere is shaped. In this episode of Crash Course Kids, Sabrina chats with us about the differences between weather and climate.

Lesson 4: Climate Zones Around the World

Climate Maps by Samantha S. Bell
ISBN: 9781503827721
Publication Date: 2019-01-01

Climates for Kids: Learn About the Different Weather & Climate Zones
(8:55) In this video your kids will learn all about Climates, different kinds of weather, and the climate zones all over the world. The world is a vast place and every where has a little different climate and weather. In this video we learn how climate is a country's normal weather over a LONG period of time whereas weather can change from week to week or day to day. There are three main kinds of climates for kids to learn about, which are: Arctic Climate, Temperate Climate, and Tropical Climate. In this video we will learn about important aspects of these climates, where they are located, which kind of live exists in each, and what are the specific weather patterns.
Climate Zones for Kids
(11:30) Climate Zones for Kids is a fun an interactive video where your students will get to learn all about the 3 main climate zones of the earth. The three main climate zones are Polar, Temperate and Tropical. These can be broken into sub climates but in this introductory video we will focus only on these three. Throughout the video we learn about what lives in each of these climate zones, what the weather is like, plant life, and much more! We have many more climate zone resources if you're looking for more! Our world is a vast space and the climates that make up the world have major impacts on all kinds of life.

Lesson 5: Climate & Living Things

Our Planet! There's No Place Like Earth by Stacy McAnulty; David Litchfield (Illustrator)
ISBN: 9781250782496
Publication Date: 2022-04-05

Animals with Winter Coats
(4:29) Have you ever wondered how animals stay warm in the winter? Learn all about their natural cozy coats and the other awesome tricks they use to make it through the cold conditions!

Lesson 6: Caring for Our Climate

Dear Earth... from Your Friends in Room 5 by Erin Dealey; Luisa Uribe (Illustrator)
ISBN: 9780062915337
Publication Date: 2023-02-21

Crash Course Kids: Climate Change
(3:40) How does climate change? And what happens to environments and ecosystems when it does? In this episode of Crash Course Kids, Sabrina shows us the effects that climate change can have and how one small change in an ecosystem can throw everything off.

Reserve the Grades 3-5 Kit today!

The resources below are video links and resources from each of the lessons in the Grades 3-5 Climate Literacy Kit.

Lesson 1: Introduction to Climate Change

Climate and Weather by Baby Professor
ISBN: 9781541974555
Publication Date: 2019-08-01

Crash Course Kids: Weather vs. Climate
(4:32) So we have weather and climate... but are they the same thing? No, no they are not. But they are both super important to how the geosphere is shaped. In this episode of Crash Course Kids, Sabrina chats with us about the differences between weather and climate.

Lesson 2: Earth's Changing Climate

Studying Ancient Ice
(2:31) It's a freezing cold day inside the National Ice Core Laboratory (NICL) in Denver, Colo., as it is every day of the year. That's because the NICL is a facility for storing and studying ice cores recovered from the polar regions of the world. It's minus 10 degrees Fahrenheit inside, so everyone is bundled up in ski parkas, insulated gloves and boots. And, saws are buzzing, as scientists from all over the U.S. are measuring and cutting pieces of precious Antarctic glacier ice to take back to their labs for research. While their research goals vary, all the scientists are here on this day for same thing - ice cores from the WAIS Divide Ice Core project. With support from the National Science Foundation (NSF), project manager Mark Twickler and a team of scientists, engineers, and support personnel traveled to the bottom of the world to drill and bring back these ice cores, which are perfectly preserved records of the distant past. The team drilled down more than two miles to retrieve the oldest pieces of ice in an ice sheet that's more than 70.000 years old. Twickler says ice core layers are like tree rings because each layer represents a year of weather. From the ice core layers, the scientists can learns all sort of information, from how rough the oceans were around Antarctica to how dusty it was in Australia.
Tree Stories: How Tree Rings Reveal Extreme Weather Cycles
(2:36) New BYU study documents extreme 16-year drought in Utah
BYU Geography Professor Matt Bekker uses dendrochronology (dendro=tree, chronology=time) to reveal extreme weather patterns in the Western U.S. By taking core samples from trees and measuring tree rings, the BYU research team can correlate patterns in tree rings to weather cycles. The process allows researchers to extend the known climatic history of a region hundreds of years beyond the written history. Such information can be used by water managers to prepare for possible drought cycles in the future. Data collected in Utah revealed an extreme period of drought that spanned 16 years; the event, which occurred in the year 1703, was previously unknown to climatologists.
What is the Greenhouse Effect?
(2:29) Earth is a comfortable place for living things. It’s just the right temperatures for plants and animals – including humans – to thrive. Why is Earth so special?
Well, one reason is: the greenhouse effect!

Lesson 3: Human Activities & Climate Change

The Last Straw: Kids vs. Plastics by Susan Hood; Christiane Engel (Illustrator)
ISBN: 9780062981394
Publication Date: 2021-02-16

Carbon Footprint Calculator
One Earth
(4:26) One Earth is an environmental short film created and edited to help raise awareness about our impact on our environment day to day. It tells the story of how we globally, and massively around the world, use resources for our short term profit, by deforestation, mining, burning fossil fuels, consuming and expanding. This sadly leads to the many environmental issues we face today in 2021, including global pollution, climate change, and the extinction of animal species.
The Story of Plastic
(4:15) The Story of Plastic (Animated Short) pulls back the curtain on the plastic pollution headlines, revealing the true causes and consequences of the global plastics crisis.
The Great Pacific Garbage Patch Explained
(2:40) The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is the largest accumulation of ocean plastic in the world and is located between Hawaii and California.
What Really Happens to the Plastic You Throw Away?
(4:06) We’ve all been told that we should recycle plastic bottles and containers. But what actually happens to the plastic if we just throw it away? Emma Bryce traces the life cycles of three different plastic bottles, shedding light on the dangers these disposables present to our world.
Lesson by Emma Bryce, animation by Sharon Colman.

Lesson 4: ND's Ecosystem & Climate Change Effects

Who Needs a Prairie? by Karen Patkau
ISBN: 9781770493889
Publication Date: 2014-09-09

Habitats of North Dakota
(5:55) Welcome to the Campfire Series brought to you by the North Dakota State Parks & Recreation Department. This week join us at Icelandic State Park, where Interpreter Molly walks through the different types of habitats of North Dakota.

Lesson 5: Mitigating Climate Change

The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind by William Kamkwamba; Bryan Mealer; Elizabeth Zunon (Illustrator)
ISBN: 9780803735118
Publication Date: 2012-01-19

The End of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch | The Ocean Cleanup
(3:32) This animated video shows our vision of a future in which the Great Pacific Garbage Patch - three times the size of France and containing up to 100,000,000 kilograms of plastic waste - is consigned to the history books.
Bill Nye tells us the fastest way to slow global warming
(3:28) Record-setting droughts, wildfires, heat waves, rising seas and withering farm production are already causing climate chaos. Science has a solution!
Watch Bill Nye “The Science Guy” explain — in a way we can all understand — how methane traps lots of heat in the short term and speeds up warming. He shows how reducing emissions of the potent greenhouse gas presents a tremendous opportunity to slow warming. One powerful way to reduce methane emissions: fixing leaks in oil and gas pipes used in fossil fuel production.
Fixing leaks is the easy part. Finding them is hard. (They’re invisible.) But stay tuned for good news, as Bill Nye reveals how a new satellite will be able to help find methane leaks big and small anywhere on Earth.
Clean Farms, Clean Air
(2:17) Did you know that growing crops results in agricultural waste? Rather than open burning waste, which results in high GHG emissions, farmers can take their crop waste to a biomass power facility. There, the waste is used to generate renewable electricity and is subject to environmental controls that drastically reduce emissions. Biomass and farming make a great partnership that results in cleaner air.

Lesson 6: Climate Advocacy & Taking Action

Old Enough to Save the Planet by Loll Kirby; Adelina Lirius (Illustrator)
ISBN: 9781419749148
Publication Date: 2021-02-09

Old Enough to Save the Planet : Lesson Plan
Young Voices for the Planet
Series (Each video is approximately 5 minutes) - In 2023, the Children’s Environmental Literacy Foundation announced that it has added the Young Voices for the Planet’s series of groundbreaking films featuring student environmental action to its educational resources
The Last Straw
(4:32) 9-year-old Milo is concerned about the millions of straws that pollute waterways, waste fossil fuel and harm ocean creatures. He convinces restaurants to “go straw-free,” addresses Congress, and inspires Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper to declare a Straw Free Day (June 11th). The Last Straw is part of the Young Voices for the Planet film series of the Children's Environmental Literacy Foundation.
The Life of Greta Thunberg
(5:52) Greta Thunberg has just become the youngest person named Time magazine's Person of the Year — here's how she did it.

Reserve the Teen Kit today!

The resources below are video links and resources from each of the lessons in the Teens Climate Literacy Kit.

Lesson 1: Introduction to Climate Change

Friendly Guide to Climate Change
(16:52) This video is a short, sweet, and pragmatic summary of climate change - what the problem is, why, and what you can actually do about it.
Climate Change for Kids
(11:34) In this video we explore climate change for kids. We learn all about the causes of climate change like the greenhouse effect, fossil fuel burning, farming, and even deforestation and why these are big dilemmas in today's world. We also cover ways that we can help prevent climate change and be friendlier to our environment including: walking, planting trees, using less electricity and other fun ways.
We're All In This Together: Climate Change for Teens
(14:26) Teens aged 12-16 years old are asking Ambassadors about the reality of today’s world where the threats of climate change are looming.
Climate Change and Me: Our Home the Planet Earth
(6:07) - This episode is an introduction to climate change from a scientific point of view. We will present the components of our terrestrial system, and the way climate change influences this system. We will explore the atmosphere, hydrosphere and biosphere, as well as how they interact and maintain life on Earth. We will also see how this balance is disturbed by the rise of temperatures.Test your knowledge after watching the episode : https://bit.ly/cc-and-me-quiz-1

Lesson 2: Exploring Climate in North Dakota

Flash Drought Leaves Ranchers Divided
(6:01) InsideClimate News reports from rural North Dakota, where a devastating flash drought in 2017 parched the land in Divide County. The ranchers and farmers here rely on the rainfall to initiate the lush growth of little bluestem and other pastureland grasses that will sustain their cattle, the hay that will get their herds through the winter, and their fields of wheat and barley. When the rains failed that summer, the fields dried up. Across the region people were wondering: What happened, and how did it happen so fast? Meera Subramanian talked with farmers and ranchers in Divide County about the drought and about climate change.
Website: Climate Check
Use this page to learn how climate change is affecting people in North Dakota. Then, use our tool to check your address for local and property-specific heat, precipitation, drought, fire, and flood risk.
Website: USDA Drought Monitor
Check the current status of drought across the United States.
Website: State Maps

Lesson 3: Climate Solutions & Sustainability

Renewable Energy 101
26 videos (approximately 4:00 each) from the US Department of Energy detailing the various types of energy.
Carbon Footprint Calculator
One Earth
(4:26) One Earth is an environmental short film created and edited to help raise awareness about our impact on our environment day to day. It tells the story of how we globally, and massively around the world, use resources for our short term profit, by deforestation, mining, burning fossil fuels, consuming and expanding. This sadly leads to the many environmental issues we face today in 2021, including global pollution, climate change, and the extinction of animal species.
The Story of Plastic
(4:15) The Story of Plastic (Animated Short) pulls back the curtain on the plastic pollution headlines, revealing the true causes and consequences of the global plastics crisis.
What Really Happens to the Plastic You Throw Away?
(4:06) We’ve all been told that we should recycle plastic bottles and containers. But what actually happens to the plastic if we just throw it away? Emma Bryce traces the life cycles of three different plastic bottles, shedding light on the dangers these disposables present to our world.
The Great Pacific Garbage Patch Explained
(2:40) The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is the largest accumulation of ocean plastic in the world and is located between Hawaii and California.
Website: US Energy Information
This website shows the state profile and energy estimates from the US Department of Energy.

Lesson 4: Climate Action

Climate Youth Action: Same Goal - Different Perspective
(9:20) Yuv Sungur is a young and energetic advocate who believes that the world needs a rethink and a different decision influencing perspective. There is today a generational gap on how fast the world needs to to take action and heal from the climate crisis and he believes that the passion and skills of the youth holds the key to bridging this gap. YUV SUNGKUR is a Mauritian youth climate advocate. He is passionate about climate change issues and fighting its impact on Small Islands Developing States. In parallel to his master’s degree in Global Environmental Governance, Yuv spoke and participated in various international summits and conferences, such as the 16th United Nations Climate Change Conference of Youth (COY16), held in Glasgow, and the Transforming Education Pre-Summit in Paris. He is also the president and co-founder of a youth-led local humanitarian NGO: Food Water Hygiene (FWH) Mauritius. His NGO seeks to support the population in need by providing them with basic necessities. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community.
Website: The Ocean Cleanup
Website: Climate XChange
Dashboard featuring ND and it's climate policies.

Lesson 5: Green Future

The Future of Green Jobs
(3:06) This video talks about the new, greener jobs available now and for the future.
Website: Environmental Science
This website contains a whole list of jobs and job descriptions related to environmental science and sustainability. Learn about the different job opportunities and what it takes to score a career in this sector.
What do Environmental Scientists do?
(3:35) This video talks about the tasks that environmentalist scientists do.

Reserve the Adult Kit today!

The resources below are video links and resources from each of the lessons in the Adult Climate Literacy Kit.

Lesson 1: Introduction to Climate Change and North Dakota

Crash Course: Climate Science
This video talks about climate change. and discusses the main driving forces of climate change in the past.
2050 Climate Change Forecast for North Dakota
This video highlights the climate change forecast for North Dakota.

Lesson 2: Understanding Climate Science

Crash Course: Climate Science History
Scientists tend to be careful and resistant to big claims. So evidence for the possible end of the living world took a while to be seen as such. In this episode of Crash Course History of Science, Hank talks to us about where Climate Science started and how it works today.
Cool Climate Carbon Footprint Calculator
A more in-depth carbon footprint calculator.
Carbon Footprint Calculator
Interactive carbon footprint calculator available in multiple languages.

Lesson 3: Impact of Climate Change on North Dakota's Ecosystems

North Dakota Habitats
This video briefly describes each of North Dakota's habitats.
North Dakota Habitats Workbooks

Lesson 4: Climate and Agriculture in North Dakota

Garden Finder
Explore endless garden ideas with this Garden Finder tool. Tailored to your hardiness zone, sun exposure and cultural conditions, it suggests perfect border ideas
ND Pollinator Gardens
Specific information about North Dakota and creating your own pollinator garden.
Prairie Wildflowers and Grasses
This pdf shares information on North Dakota Prairie wildflowers and grasses and information about them.
Webinar: Birds, Bees, & Trees: An Intro to Backyard Conservation
Join Jeff Miller, Director of Cass County Soil Conservation District, as he explores backyard conservation and how you can make an impact no matter where you live. Jeff will also review successful North Dakota residential and commercial backyard projects.

During this webinar you’ll learn:
* What backyard conservation is
* Simple steps to begin implementing conservation practices
* How to access expertise available through your local soil conservation district.

Lesson 5: Climate Change Mitigation and Solutions

Energy 101
This video has 26 short (1-5 min) videos about the different types of renewable energy. Libraries can choose to play all or just focus on the energies North Dakota produces: wind, solar, hydro, geothermal.
Project Tundra: Capturing our Energy Future
(11:43) For reliable, affordable electricity in our region, cleaner industries across the United States, and energy stability in societies around the world – Minnkota’s Project Tundra is helping develop the carbon capture technology necessary to meet our global climate goals, right in the heart of North Dakota

Lesson 6: Taking Action - Community Engagement & Advocacy

Campus Climate Action Corps
Campus Climate Action Corps (CCAC) is the first nationwide AmeriCorps program solely dedicated to campus-based, community-led climate action. CCAC builds the capacity of campuses and their community partners to create change that leads to increased energy efficiency and improvements for at-risk ecosystems by implementing local solutions for underserved households and communities.

Resources

Frankson, R., Kunkel, K. E., Stevens, L. E., Easterling, D. R., Shulski, M., Akyuz, A., Umphlett, N. A., & Stiles, C. J. (2022). North Dakota State Climate Summary 2022. NOAA Technical Report NESDIS 150-ND. NOAA/NESDIS, Silver Spring, MD, 5 pp. https://statesummaries.ncics.org/chapter/nd/

Knapp, C. N., Kluck, D. R., Guntenspergen, G., Ahlering, M. A., Aimone, N. M., Ryberg, K. R., et al. (2023). Ch. 25. Northern Great Plains. In: Fifth National Climate Assessment. Crimmins, A. R., et al., Eds. U.S. GCRP, Washington, DC, USA. https://nca2023.globalchange.gov/chapter/25/

Claeys, T., (2020). North Dakota Forest Action Plan. Bismarck, ND: NDSU-North Dakota Forest Service. 52 pp. https://www.ag.ndsu.edu/ndfs/documents/2020-north-dakota-forest-action-plan-final.pdf/at_download/file

Hoell, A., Hoerling, M., Quan, X., & Robinson, R. (2023): Recent High Missouri River Basin Runoff Was Unlikely Due to Climate Change. J. Appl. Meteor. Climatol., https://doi.org/10.1175/JAMC-D-22-0158.1.

Derner, J., Wilmer, H., Stackhouse‐Lawson, K., Place, S., & Boggess, M. (2023). Practical considerations for adaptive strategies by US grazing land managers with a changing climate. Agrosystems, Geosciences & Environment. 6. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/agg2.20356.

Fisichelli, N., et al., (2016). Resource management and operations in central North Dakota: Climate change scenario planning workshop summary November 12-13, 2015, Bismarck, ND. Natural Resource Report. NPS/NRSS/NRR—2016/1262. https://irma.nps.gov/DataStore/DownloadFile/554412

McKenna, O. P., Mushet, D. M., Kucia, S. R., & McCulloch‐Huseby, E. C. (2021). Limited shifts in the distribution of migratory bird breeding habitat density in response to future changes in climate. Ecological Applications, 31(7). https://doi.org/10.1002/eap.2428