Climate Science can be ear-bleedingly complicated if you choose to get bogged down in the fine print. It can be intimidating to activists, and down-right bewildering to the general public. But, we would argue, knowing the basics (and we mean basics) is essential to the work of a climate activist.
Why it is a core competency
You might be the world’s greatest activist, but if you don’t know the very basics of climate science, you’re not a climate activist. The clue is in the name, no?
What consequences are there for yourself, the movement and the bigger picture if you can’t do level one?:
You’re easily tripped up. This makes you feel dumb (and de-motivated). You – and your cause – lose credibility in the eyes of the wider world. Shouldn’t work like that, but it just does…
Stage One
Understands the basic facts of the build up of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere over the last two hundred years, the causes and consequences. Is aware of the nature of the carbon cycle, feedback loops and the “Earth Systems Theory” of a self-regulating climate system. Can explain this to interested lay person.
Stage Two
Understands in greater depth some of the methodological issues around climate science, and the nature and scale of the uncertainties. Able to rebut standard denialist lines “It’s the Sun” etc.
WARNING: DO YOU REALLY NEED TO GO TO THIS LEVEL? ARE THERE NOT BETTER THINGS FOR YOU TO SPEND YOUR LIMITED TIME AND ENERGY ON?
Stage Three
Able to keep abreast of the latest developments in climate science, and to communicate them in simple format to interested lay readers. Able to identify and provide appropriate rebuttal to “skeptics” and denialist arguments.
Stage Four
Is able to read and critique peer-reviewed papers. Is able to understand and translate into layperson’s language the implications of new work. Is able to generate effective and detailed rebuttals of denialist talking points.
(Click on each of these for descriptors, indicators and resources)
