No longer is climate change only studied by scientists. Increasingly policy makers and citizens, including students, are discussing and grappling with serious climate change issues facing Wisconsin and the planet.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is proud to introduce a climate change guide for educators to use in their classrooms and activities. Designed to teach 7th to 12th grade students about how climate change affects all of us in Wisconsin, Climate Change: A Wisconsin Activity Guide includes twelve engaging activities suitable for classes in English and language arts, environmental education, math, science, art and social studies.

Using this guide, Wisconsin teachers can help students investigate the evidence and causes of climate change, examine its impacts on ecosystems, explore and discuss varied social and cultural perspectives, and get involved helping to solve this local and global predicament. The guide’s activities are tied to Wisconsin’s model academic standards.

Students are ready to learn and explore this complex topic and its importance in their world. They are energy consumers today as well as tomorrow’s voters. They have the ability to continue on the same track or to help slow climate change. DNR’s new climate change guide can help them develop the knowledge and skills needed to become informed participants in society’s climate change discussion and learn valuable life tools including critical thinking.

Educators can preview this timely guide at www.dnr.wi.gov/eek/teacher/climatechangeguide.htm and can order free copies by sending an e-mail to DNRAirEducation@wisconsin.gov with their mailing and email addresses.