When thinking about controversial issues in science education, evolution is probably the first thing to come to mind. Recently, however, climate change and how to address it in public schools has begun to generate debate as well.  While climate change is a complex issue, most scientists now accept that the evidence supports a significant human component to climate change. Much of the general public, however, remains undecided, and religious and political objections to teaching about climate change in public schools are increasing. 

To prevent climate change from becoming a controversial issue in your district, it is helpful to learn about the experiences of other districts.  Understanding the positions of the nation’s leading scientific organizations provide clear and fact-based information should the issue arise. Suggestions about how to incorporate climate change into the curriculum demonstrate that it can integrate seamlessly without becoming a hot-button issue. As with any controversial issue, public engagement is warranted if you think your community has mixed views on the subject.  

• How have religious and/or political reservations about climate change manifested in school districts?
• What do scientific organizations say about climate change?
• How does climate change fit into K-12 education?

How have religious and/or political reservations about climate change manifested in school districts?

• An article about a Washington State school district that placed a moratorium on showing the global warming documentary “An Inconvenient Truth”
• A district in Montana cancels a talk by a leading climatologist.
• An artlcle from The Daily Yonder (a blog focused on rural issues) about the Montana district's decision to cancel a talk on climate change.
• A Utah science teacher is criticized for showing “An Inconvenient Truth” to his class.

What do scientific organizations say about climate change?

• AAAS’s 2007 statement on climate change.
• A 2007 statement from the American Meteorological Society on climate change.
• A 2008 report from the National Academies on climate change.

How does climate change fit into K-12 education?

• AAAS’s guide to teaching about climate change.
• Carnegie Mellon University’s teacher’s guide to climate change and global warming.
• A guide to bringing climate change into the classroom from the federally funded Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) program.
• An article describing a training workshop to help teachers educate their students about climate change.