Empowering Students to Understand Climate Change and Recognize Disinformation

Climate change caused predominately by carbon dioxide (CO2) from fossil fuel use is a critical issue for our future. It is incumbent on science educators to learn about it and teach it in ways that illustrate the power of science to understand climatic changes and model past, present, and possible climate futures. It is equally important for educators to address alternative explanations that do not cause present warming. We provide sufficient background to understand the effects of atmospheric CO2 on climate, how we know past values of both CO2 and temperature, and how mathematical models lead to a quantitative understanding and predictions of increases in temperature on doubling atmospheric CO2. We discuss alternative but incorrect explanations for present warming that are employed by those who use misinformation and disinformation to take attention away from the main cause, the burning of fossil fuels. Guided student activities are provided to help students develop an understanding of the causes and strategies to mitigate the worst effects of climate change. We must provide students with a sound understanding of climate change to empower them with the knowledge to make effective choices. Informed students can develop into agents of change as we prepare them to live in their changing climate futures.