Climate Education

Climate change describes long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns. Earth's climate has changed many times across billions of years and will continue to change. Many of these changes are caused by natural processes and cycles that increase energy output from the Sun or volcanic activity on Earth.

However, since the 1800s, human activities have been the main force behind changings Earth's climate. Each year, more carbon dioxide (CO₂) is released into the air, primarily by burning fossil fuels like coal, oil and gas, than all of Earth's oceans, forests, and soil can remove. This is causing more CO₂ to build up and is changing the Earth's temperature.

To learn more, you can watch the first video in our Climate Change Training Series:

Climate vs. Weather  

Weather is short-term changes in the atmosphere – which can be that it’s currently raining out, or that we haven’t gotten much snow yet this winter. We use weather to describe short amounts of time like a week, a season, or a year.

Climate is a long-term average of weather over at least 20 to 30 years. So, while one year may have been really cold, when you look at the average change over 20-30 years, our winters are getting warmer with more rain.

One way to think about this is weather can be like the money in your pocket on any one day, but climate is your overall wealth over your lifetime. Some years may have had a tighter budget than others, but your net worth shows all the ups and downs and identifies trends over time. 

The Earth is Getting Warmer

GLOBAL LAND-OCEAN TEMPERATURE INDEX

Data source: NASA's Goddard Institute for Space Studies

In the graph above, each small white dot represents that year's change in global surface temperature compared to the average temperature between 1951 to 1980 (30 years). These dots represent the average temperature that year (weather).

The solid black line is the trend of weather patterns (climate) and shows an increase in the global surface temperature in the past ~150 years. Since record-keeping began in 1880, the hottest year on record remains 2024.

Some years are hotter and some are colder, but when looking across the whole timeline we can see that overall, the Earth is getting warmer. For up to date tracking on global temperatures, see NASA's Global Climate Change Global Temperature page. 

The Greenhouse Effect

The greenhouse effect describes how our atmosphere can trap heat, therefore warming the surface of the Earth, similar to a clear, outdoor, greenhouse for plants. The types of gas in our air that trap the most heat are called greenhouse gasses, or GHG for short. This natural "blanket" of heat trapping gases prevents the Earth from freezing solid and allows for life to exist. 

However, since the 1800s, human activities have been the main force behind changings Earth's climate. More and more CO₂, a very strong GHG, has been released and is increasing the thickness of the "blanket." 

The Sun’s energy (through solar radiation) shines down and heats the earth. Some of that heat energy bounces off or is reflected by clouds in the atmosphere, the rest warms up the earth and gives off heat energy. The natural blanket traps about half of that energy keeping the earth a temperature we can live in. Once the Earth’s surface is warm, it gives off excess energy to space as invisible infrared radiation.  

Greenhouse Gases

The main greenhouse (heat-trapping) gases caused by human activity are: 

• Carbon dioxide (CO2) 
• Methane (CH4) 
• Nitrous oxide (N2O) 
• Fluorinated Gases (hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, sulfur hexafluoride and nitrogen trifluoride) 

Carbon dioxide (CO2) is often the greatest focus of greenhouse gases because it is has contributed more than any other greenhouse gas and it stays in our atmosphere the longest. Although methane (CH4) may be 25 times more potent it is mostly removed from the atmosphere in 12 years, whereas carbon dioxide sticks around longer, anywhere from 300 to 1,000 years. That is why you see solutions focusing on carbon dioxide, and the term greenhouse gases and carbon used interchangeably. 

Human Caused Emissions

In the past, the climate has changed from natural causes: changes in energy from the sun, massive, sustained volcanic eruptions, and predictable cycles in the Earth’s orbit that drive the ice ages and the warm periods in between have all caused the Earth to be warmer and cooler in the past. 

However, since the beginning of the Industrial Era (1850), human activities, such as the burning of fossil fuels, have raised atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide by nearly 49%. The increase in global carbon dioxide levels from 1950 to 2022 (current) is more than what had happened naturally over a 20,000 year period. For up to date tracking on carbon dioxide levels, see NASA's Global Climate Change Carbon Dioxide page. 

Source of Emissions

Looking at both the total greenhouse gas emissions by economic sector for the United States and Michigan there is a consistent trend that our emissions are coming from the fueling of our electricity, transportation, buildings, and industry.  

Mitigation vs. Adaptation

In climate change work there are two types of solutions: Climate Mitigation and Climate Adaptation. 

Mitigation is reducing or preventing greenhouse gases by decreasing how much energy is consumed (or energy efficiency), ensuring energy is produced from renewable sources (such as wind, solar, etc.), and finding ways to capture and store greenhouse gases (known as sequestration). 

Adaptation is taking actions that reduce or prevent the harm caused by climate change and can include planning for impacts that are predicted to occur, putting processes in place to respond when anticipated changes occur, and being creative with new solutions (like businesses or energy systems) to adapt to our new normal.  

While mitigation is essential to addressing climate change, adaptation is also a high priority when looking to not only maintain but enhance quality of life. For even if all human emissions of heat-trapping gases were to stop today, Earth’s temperature would continue to rise for a few decades as ocean currents bring excess heat stored in the deep ocean back to the surface. But the vast majority of future impacts can be avoided by choosing our future.

For a look at the full report, click here. 

Health Impacts

One of the most important impacts of climate change is the impact on our human health. The following are potential health impacts expected for those who reside in Michigan according to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

• Allergies - Climate projections predict an earlier and longer season for plants with pollen, which could increase allergies.
• Heat Related Health Issues - Health effects such as heat cramps, heat exhaustion, heat dizziness, and heat stroke can happen during high temperatures when the body is not able to cool itself by sweating. Heat waves can also worsen chronic conditions including cardiovascular disease and diabetes-related conditions.
• Impacts on Pregnancy - Environmental pollution, such as small particles in our air from smoke, has been linked to increased risk of negative birth outcomes, including premature birth. Exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) from vehicle exhaust, industrial processes, or wildfire smoke has been found to impact the metabolism of pregnant people and increase risk.
• Waterborne Diseases - Increases in waterborne disease outbreaks have been reported following a heavy rainfall. Buildings that experience water intrusion can develop mold contamination, which can lead to indoor air quality problems.
• Vector-Borne Diseases - With the incoming of warmer winters, earlier springs, and warmer summers, climate change creates ideal conditions for vector-borne diseases such as West Nile Virus and Lyme Disease to flourish from an increase in mosquitos and ticks.
• Mental Health - Climate change and related disasters cause elevated levels of anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorders. The trauma and losses from a disaster, such as losing a home or job and being disconnected from neighborhood and community, can contribute to depression and anxiety. Extreme weather events have also been associated with increases in aggressive behavior and domestic violence. 

Economic Disruption

Another reason to plan for climate change is to prepare for the economic impact of ever increasing billion-dollar disaster events. While taking a look at this graph note that this is only for the state of Michigan, with the most common disaster events including severe storms, floods and drought.

As you can see from the 1980s to the early 2000s, numbers were fairly low, but there is a steady rise in the amount of billion dollar disaster events from 2011 to 2021, and for 2021 there is a combined disaster cost of 1 to 2 billion dollars. 

Threat Multiplier

Climate change is also known as a threat multiplier or an accelerant of instability, which means that it has the potential to exacerbate other social forces such as water, food, and energy insecurity, as well as racial and low-income disparities.

Those most impacted by climate change are those who contributed least to the issue due to increased exposure to climate hazards, higher sensitivity, and a lower adaptive capacity.  This includes women and low-income populations globally, Indigenous peoples, and Black and Brown neighborhoods in the U.S. that may reside in flood zones, without green space, and potentially near toxic industry sites due to the racist practice of redlining.

Due to redlining, not all Grand Rapids neighborhoods will experience the impacts of climate change equally. Communities that were redlined remain those with a larger percentage of people of color and low-income residents. They are also the same neighborhoods that have fewer trees and green spaces, making them more vulnerable to heat and flooding. 

In 2021, the EPA released a report that showed that in the U.S. the most severe harms from climate change fall disproportionately upon underserved communities who are least able to prepare for, and recover from, heat waves, poor air quality, flooding, and other impacts.  EPA’s analysis indicated that communities of color are particularly vulnerable to the greatest impacts of climate change.

For local knowledge on how environmental action intersects with race read LINC UP's Neighborhood Environmental Action Report: Health, Environment and Race in Grand Rapids. 

Ecosystem Impacts

Some additional effects we’ll see in West Michigan are an increase in lake levels. Research indicates climate change will drive water levels higher with Lake Superior expected to rise on an average by 7.5 inches, while levels on the Lake Michigan-Huron system is projected to increase 17 inches by mid century.

More lake effect snow for the time being will also be an ecosystem impact. In a warmer atmosphere, water evaporates faster, so when a storm comes around there is more water vapor waiting to be swept into the storm, creating more intense storm events. For the Great Lakes this is creating more lake-effect snow – since warm lake water is evaporating into the atmosphere, but temperatures are remaining below freezing. So West Michigan sees more snow, and that is going to continue. This could impact the quality of our roads, the number of power outages and our community’s ability to accommodate trucking industry.

Another effect of a warmer atmosphere and then warming lakes is an increase in harmful algal blooms. As the temperature rises in lakes potentially toxic algae numbers will increase creating nutrient pollution and killing fish species. An increase in algal blooms is not only harmful to human and ecosystem health, but also to fishing tourism and traditional Anishinaabe cultural practices, such as water walks.  

Climate Migration

Climate migration is the movement of people due to climate or the effects of climate change. The Midwest has been called a potential climate haven – where people will potentially move to avoid the worst effects of climate change. Grand Rapids is primed to be a “climate haven” or safe place for people to move to with a diverse job market, population growth, good schools, cultural offerings, comparatively moderate climate, and access to water.

Unfortunately, climate migration will exacerbate already existing inequities within our community – our focus for now is to address those inequities, and to increase quality of life and resilience of our community in the hopes that we will better be able to prepare for what’s to come.  

The climate justice movement addresses the ethical dimensions of climate change - shifting from talk about greenhouse gases, melting ice caps and polar bears into a civil rights movement with the people and communities most vulnerable to climate impacts at its heart.  

Climate justice seeks to integrate justice into climate solutions. Some of these solutions include just transition, energy democracy, transportation equity, food sovereignty, and efficient, affordable housing. 

Environmental and climate justice both uphold the fundamental rights to clean air, land, water, and food that is free from pollution and destructive practices. While these concepts are closely interlinked, they are each defined as:

• Environmental justice - For communities disproportionately affected by these harms (hazardous waste, resource extraction, etc.) environmental justice can include the restoration of ecosystems, abatement from hazards such as lead or PFAS, or addressing sources of air, water, or soil pollution.

• Climate justice focuses on delivering climate solutions to vulnerable communities who are already experiencing these impacts “first and worst”. Presently, West Michigan faces threats of heat stress, increased flooding, and unhealthy air as the frequency of severe weather rise due to a changing climate. Climate justice includes enhancing access to renewable & efficient energy, healthy food, and improving homes to be resilient to extreme weather. While building climate resiliency & adaptive measures in the present, it is necessary to consider historical context of systemic oppression and extraction in marginalized communities.

Just Transition

Just Transition is a vision-led, unifying and place-based set of principles, processes, and practices that build economic and political power to shift from an extractive economy to a regenerative economy. This means approaching production and consumption cycles holistically and waste-free. The transition itself must be just and equitable; redressing past harms and creating new relationships of power for the future through reparations.

Energy Democracy

Energy democracy pairs the renewable energy transition with efforts to democratize the production and management of energy. Energy democracy represents a shift from the corporate, centralized fossil fuel economy to one that is governed by communities, is designed on the principle of no harm to the environment, supports local economies, and contributes to the health and well-being for all peoples. 

Transportation Equity

Transportation is the number one source of carbon emissions in the U.S. In order to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions, a lot of focus is being placed on the solution of transitioning to electric vehicles but does not address equitable access to these vehicles. Transportation equity focuses on solutions that include both equitable access to new technologies for low-income and communities of color, while moving away from reliance on automotive vehicles and encouraging public transportation and forms of active mobility such as walking or biking.

Food Sovereignty 

“Food sovereignty is the right of peoples to healthy and culturally appropriate food produced through ecologically sound and sustainable methods, and their right to define their own food and agriculture systems. It puts the aspirations and needs of those who produce, distribute and consume food at the heart of food systems and policies rather than the demands of markets and corporations.” – Declaration of Nyéléni, the first global forum on food sovereignty, Mali, 2007

Through deforestation, farming, transportation, processing and packaging, refrigeration and retail, and waste, the industrial model of agribusiness – guided by generation of profits, exploitation of labor, commodification of the earth, and manipulation of natural systems – is a major contributor to the climate crisis. Between 44% and 57% of all greenhouse gas emissions come from the global food system. Food sovereignty solutions focus on investing in localized food, farming and distribution systems in urban and rural communities.

Efficient, Affordable Housing

Energy cost burden more often falls on low-income households due to substandard housing. Climate change will likely deepen this problem due to ongoing and projected increases in average and extreme temperatures, which will expose those that cannot afford to maintain comfortable temperatures inside their homes to extreme heat. This exposure may lead to severe health consequences, including heat exhaustion and death from heatstroke. Increasing access to energy efficient, affordable housing is a key climate justice solution. 

Additional Resources

• Climate Justice Alliance
• Our Power Campaign
• Indigenous Environmental Network
• Jemez Principles for Democratic Organizing
• Michigan Environmental Justice Coalition