Earth to Sky: Global Climate Change

A recent poll by ABC News determined that 85% of Americans are concerned about climate change, a trend also reflective of the rest of the world. All of us will be touched by this phenomenon in some way, and it will certainly alter the lives of future generations.

This training tool provides you with in-depth references and appropriate techniques to support you in interpreting this issue and its implications. It is intended to be interactive and to provide up-to-date research for immediate use by interpreters and their supervisors. We encourage suggestions and additional references anytime. Hopefully, this site will provide the basic understanding and tools needed to facilitate relevant connections with this very complex issue.

National Parks provide a natural and cultural heritage that, in the face of climate change, can help us make choices that will enable our culture to be sustainable for future generations.

Learn the Concepts:

A short introduction to the conceptual model for this training tool.

ClimateChange.pdf (3.6MB)

Browse Visitor Questions by Theme:

This is a database of questions that visitors are already asking at national parks about the issue of climate change. An opportunity is included to recommend additional questions for inclusion.

Global warming at unprecedented rate
Global climate is now warming at an unprecedented rate and much larger changes are projected. Questions will be added to this section soon.
Melting Ice has worldwide implications
Arctic warming and its consequences (like melting glaciers and increased precipitation) have worldwide implications. Questions will be added to this section soon.
Vegetative zones are shifting
Vegetation zones are likely to shift causing wide-ranging impacts. Questions will be added to this section soon.
Wildlife ranges and diversity are changing
Animal species’ diversity, ranges and distribution will change. Questions will be added to this section soon.
Coastal and marine changes bring impacts
Coastal communities and facilities face increasing exposure to storms while reduced sea ice is likely to increase marine transportation and access to resources. Questions will be added to this section soon.
Wildfire frequency and duration increase
Wildland fires are forecast to increase in frequency, duration and range by as much as 80% over the next 100 years. Questions will be added to this section soon.
Thawing permafrost has impacts
Thawing ground will disrupt transportation, buildings, and other infrastructure. Questions will be added to this section soon.
Impacts to indigenous people are severe
Indigenous communities are facing major economic and cultural impacts. Questions will be added to this section soon.
Atmospheric chemistry is changing
Elevated ultraviolet radiation and other atmospheric changes will affect people, plants, and animals. Questions will be added to this section soon.
Multiple influences combine into large impacts
Multiple influences interact to cause increased impacts to people and ecosystems. Questions will be added to this section soon.