SCI: Issues in Environmental Science

Global climate change, whether a result of natural variability or of human activity, is a vital issue for life on Earth and involves many processes and concepts related to chemistry. Engaging with this issue in deliberative discourse with colleagues and others requires understanding the fundamental science that determines Earth’s climate. This fundamental science is the core content of the ACS Climate Science Toolkit.

To rapidly, radically reshape society this decade — the task science has set clearly before us — status quo leadership will not suffice. We need an upwelling of transformational climate leadership that is more characteristically feminine and more faithfully feminist, rooted in compassion, connection, creativity, and collaboration. Many of today’s most compelling climate leaders are women, specifically women of color, and this community of transformational leadership is undoubtedly on the rise. But not nearly fast enough.

With more intentional community building, generous funding, and focused engagement and support for women climate leaders, we can unleash potential and accelerate the success of the climate movement.

Climate Justice Alliance (CJA) formed in 2013 to create a new center of gravity in the climate movement by uniting frontline communities and organizations into a formidable force. Our translocal organizing strategy and mobilizing capacity is building a Just Transition away from extractive systems of production, consumption and political oppression, and towards resilient, regenerative and equitable economies. We believe that the process of transition must place race, gender and class at the center of the solutions equation in order to make it a truly Just Transition.

The Gulf Coast Center for Law & Policy (GCCLP) is a non-profit, public interest law firm and justice center with a mission to advance structural shifts toward climate justice and ecological equity in communities of color on the frontline of climate change. GCCLP envisions social, economic and political systems throughout the Gulf South that promote equity and justice for all people.

This five-part series explores the connections between climate change and public health produced in collaboration with Putney Pre-College. Meaningful and action-oriented, the content is designed to help teachers and students engage with these issues, particularly in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. The series is aimed at high school students, but content may easily be adapted for younger age groups.

Each short video addresses a different topic presented by leaders in the fields of climate and public health and is accompanied by supplemental resources such as articles on current events, discussion questions, writing prompts, and group activities. The series is optimized for remote learning and content can be easily downloaded and shared.