Climate Self Education - 303

The last five columns were focused on the most reputable science organizations an American Citizen can access for climate information. Accessing these and reading what they have to offer builds personal climate confidence. These organizations were the National Academies of Science (NAS), the American Meteorological Society (AMS), The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

My purpose introducing these to you was two-fold. One was to assure you I am not making things up but I have been, for 300 columns, sharing information from the most reputable organizations.

The second goal has been to encourage the curious to go to these organizations to learn from the experts. By learning from different reputable organizations, all telling us the same story, gives a person confidence they are developing a valid opinion.

There are a vast number of educational resources. Saying that, everyone does not have the time to access them all. Following is a short list. If you are really busy one of the sources following is a one-minute video. Others are short booklets. Still others are website explanations, and one from the AMS library, is a good old book. 

NAS: First, to find short reads, search “National Academies Press”.  Once you are on the NAP website you can access thousands of studies. Here is one way to get to my favorites. From the opening page scroll down to “Searchable Collections”.  In searchable collections select, “Climate Collections”. Climate Collections has hundreds of interesting reads but for the basics type in “Climate Change Evidence and Causes”.

The most recent book by this title is the 2020 edition referred to as the update. I prefer the 2014 edition for its clear explanations.  Both are free to download or inexpensive to buy.

If you have trouble accessing the booklets via the instructions above, you can also access these two booklets by searching, “Climate Change Evidence and Causes NAS”. Here too you will be given the opportunity to download these for free or buy hard copies at 5 for 5 bucks. There is an easy process to sign into the National Academies Press. I have purchased over six hundred booklets.

NAS #2: For the time challenged here is a recommendation.  There is a video titled “Royal Society Climate Change in 60 Seconds”. If you search this, one of the options will be a You Tube Video: “Climate Change in Sixty Seconds Royal Society”. The Royal Society (RS) is the United Kingdom’s independent science academy. The RS and our NAS work together for climate education. Amazingly, in little over sixty seconds you will have a solid foundation in climate basics.

AMS: If you wish to read a book recommended by the Unites State’s largest meteorological organization search “American Meteorological Society”. Find their website and select bookstore. When you scroll down you will find, “The Thinking Person’s Guide to Climate Change, 2 ed”.  The list price is 30 dollars.

You can find used books of “The Thinking Person’s Guide to Climate Change, 2 ed.” at Amazon at reduced prices. Amazon has a Kindle option too.

NOAA: Our premier governmental weather and climate organization has very interesting information. Search: “National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Climate Education (noaa.gov)”. Here you will find subjects like: The Carbon Cycle, Climate Change Impacts, Climate Data Monitoring, and Changing Seasons.

NOAA has a division for educators. You can access this by searching, “cimate.gov teaching”.

NASA: The folks tasked to keep an eye on the health of Planet Earth have lots of information to share. Search this to get started, “NASA Global Climate Change Vital Signs of the Planet”.

When searching I use the search engine “DuckDuckGo” to eliminate tracking. I check all my search recommendations via DuckDuckGo to make sure they are accessible as I have written. Different search engines may bring up different results.  You could also try the browser, Bravo.

I hope you have fun in your endeavors!

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