A Complete Guide to Climate Change Resources, Part 2
Climate change is a pretty complex issue. Having a solid grasp on it requires you to know a bit about environmental science, politics, energy technologies, weather, and much more. And, as we've mentioned in Part 1 (LINK), there's a lot of information out there. It's easy to get lost!
So, because the CarbonForest team loves to geek out on this topic, we thought we'd put together a comprehensive guide of climate change resources that we love and trust.
We're big believers in taking anything related to climate change one step at a time. So we highly recommend that you don't overload yourself with information—that could lead to eco-anxiety! It's a big topic, so make sure you prioritize your mental health. Maybe watch a Youtube video one day and read an article the next. If you do just a little bit every day, you can build a good foundation for expertise in the long run.
Media/Publications
Of course, the New York Times Climate section has the latest news and updates on climate change. However, the Times has done more than just cover climate change; they have used brilliant web design and storytelling to make a complicated topic readable and entertaining. Take a look at their guide to climate change for children.
If you're interested in how climate change and international politics interact, Climate Home News will keep you informed and updated on the latest. It's an independent news site covering a broad range of topics like energy, justice, and land.
Daily Climate is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that focuses on bringing the science of climate change into public discussion. The site features original articles and links to the latest stories from around the web. It's an excellent resource if you want the most current news on climate change around the world.
When it comes to brilliant storytelling, it's hard to beat NPR. NPR Environment focuses on things that are happening to planet Earth—big and small, good and bad. Whether it's a tiny mysterious ice worm or the triumphant return of Giant Panda Bears in China, they cover it. And thanks to their radio roots, you can listen to most of their articles and skip reading if you feel like it.
GreenBiz is exactly what it sounds like: a publication covering sustainability efforts across industries. If you're interested in learning more about the emerging "clean economy," this is a good place to start. Their content focuses on clean energy, transportation, technology, and the business of green.
Books
The Story of More by Hope Jahren
This book answers the simple (yet increasingly complex) question of "how did we get here?" Author Hope Jahren is an award-winning geobiologist who links the enterprising spirit of humans throughout history to the development of consumption habits that have endangered the planet. It's a quick, essential, and impactful read.
This Changes Everything by Naomi Klein
Almost a decade old now, Naomi Klein's canonical book "This Changes Everything" was one of the first to make the connection between capitalism and climate change. Klien cleverly showcases how the unrestricted free market has nearly destroyed our environment and prompts the reader to ask the question, "What do I truly value?"
The Sixth Extinction: An Unnatural History by Elizabeth Kolbert
When this book first hit shelves in 2015, few people knew about the five mass extinctions throughout Earth's history; even fewer knew that we are currently in a sixth one right now. This illuminating book showcases how humans are currently causing a mass extinction of the diversity of life on Earth.
The Future We Choose by Christiana Figueres & Tom Rivett-Carnac
If you're anything like us, you need a good dose of optimism every now and then. This book outlines two scenarios for what Earth could look like by 2050 if countries commit to or fail to meet Paris climate targets. The authors advocate that readers fight climate change and adopt an attitude of optimism for the future.
How to Be a Good Creature by Sy Montgomery
One thing that is essential in the fight against climate change is empathy. While this illustrated book might not look like the others on this list, it's still an essential read for anyone studying climate change. This book examines the relationship between humans and animals and otherness and sameness. It's an exploration of empathy and how to be a good creature in the world.
Ted Talks
The most important thing you can do about climate change: talk about it.
In her 2018 Ted Talk, climate scientist Katharine Hayhoe pointed out something that many people missed: we can't convince people climate change is real by talking about science. We have to connect climate change to things people care about like family, community, and religion. In her speech, Hayhoe shares pragmatic ways to do this.
How climate change affects your mental health
Our team here at CarbonForest are big fans of science writer Britt Wray. In her 2019 Ted Talk, Wray showcased how climate change is threatening and impacting the psychological well-being of people across the globe. It's essential, brilliant, and short (7 minutes).
Why lakes and rivers should have the same rights as humans
The idea of implementing laws to protect water sources isn't necessarily a new one. But in her 2019 Ted Talk, legal scholar Kelsey Leonard pitched a new protection method for lakes and rivers around the country: grant them legal "personhood." Giving lakes and rivers the same legal rights as humans would be an incredibly innovative way of protecting them as vital resources for human life.
The case for stubborn optimism on climate
Co-author of The Future We Choose, Christiana Figueres, took her argument for stubborn optimism to the Ted stage in October 2020. In her speech, she relates her famous father's (former Costa Rican President José Figueres Ferrer) fight for his country to our current battle against climate change. She explains how, through unshakeable determination, we can overcome the climate challenges we currently face and build a beautiful future.
Climate justice can't happen without racial justice
If we're going to build a greener future, racial justice needs to be a part of the discussion. In his 2020 Ted Talk, David Lammy explains how climate action will help black communities. He explains that black and minority communities will be most impacted by the climate crisis and calls for inclusion and support of Black and minority leadership on climate issues.
Youtube Channels
Our Changing Climate shares really well-done video essays that break down complex climate change topics in a way that anyone can understand. We love this episode that covers three climate change solutions and explains how they could be implemented.
If there were a "best ever" award, the CarbonForest team would give it to PBS. From Ken Burns documentaries to Mr. Rogers, PBS has always used content to inform and inspire. And their climate change Youtube Channel Hot Mess is no different. It offers solution-focused and explainer videos that anyone can understand. We love this episode about the importance that voting local plays in fighting climate change.
For an organization that does "space stuff" (cough... that's the technical term), NASA surprisingly kills the Youtube game. NASA's Youtube channel promises "accurate and timely news and information about Earth's changing climate," and you know they deliver. We highly recommend their entire series on rising sea levels.
We love a good collab— and the Youtube channel Global Weirding is just that. Brilliant climate scientist Katharine Hayhoe teamed up with PBS Digital Studios to bring animated videos about all things climate change. We love this episode called "What's the Big Deal With a Few Degrees?"
This channel may look very modest to some: it's just a guy named Adam talking about climate change. But the content is entertaining, informative, and, dare we say, fun. Adam has a doctor in climate science from Oxford, so he knows the topic inside and out and does an excellent job of breaking it down into digestible chunks. We love this video that likens the greenhouse effect to unnecessarily wearing a hot sweater.