Dear ECCLPs supporter ,

We wish everyone a fantastic upcoming holiday season spent with loved ones and friends. We are immensely grateful for the invaluable contributions of all individuals who have joined us this past year in advancing climate change and environmental education, justice, and action. With the support from each and every one of you, we eagerly anticipate meaningful new projects and initiatives set to unfold in 2024! Thank you for your support from every scale of the work!

We wanted to give a huge shout out to all the individuals who presented at our sessions at AGU this week! A special note of appreciation to Frank Niepold and Haley Crim (NOAA) and Allison Crimmins (USGCRP) for co-convening with Dr. Lê to center on the potential of education in future the National Climate Assessments !

Education is increasingly recognized as a core component of bending the curve on the climate crisis, and we are grateful to be trusted partners in both local and national efforts. Let's celebrate this important step together as we wrap up the year 🎉 ! We look forward to convening partners in 2024 to take collective action!

In addition, we are thrilled to announce our call for proposals for our upcoming annual statewide virtual forum symposium on May 3, 2024 , from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM PST . This year's theme is " Collaborating for Change: Bridging the Gap in Climate and Environmental Literacy, Justice, and Action across PK-12, Higher Education, and Community Partners. " We invite all interested individuals, agencies or organizations to submit their proposals. 📢 If you're interested in presenting a workshop or session, virtual poster, creative communication approaches, or to showcase your organization at a virtual booth we would love to hear from you! V isit our webpage to learn more details or to submit!

This event is for PK-16 students, educators, administrators, researchers, university faculty/staff, and community partners! Registration opens in the new year so stay tuned for more info!

Current ECCLPs Activities and Events

Featured Partnership: The Slingshot Challenge

The ECCLPs team is excited to announce our collaboration with CSU Bakersfield and National Geographic in their Slingshot Challenge. If you're a student aged 13-18 in California with an innovative concept, National Geographic is eagerly seeking your groundbreaking ideas that could significantly impact our planet's future! Submit a concise 1-minute video outlining your idea for a chance to win up to $10,000!

For educators interested in seeking support for their students, we encourage you to reach out to Dr. Brittney Beck ( bbeck4@csu.edu ), Associate Professor at CSU Bakersfield and National Geographic Explorer, to initiate this inspiring journey with your students today!

Featured Event: Green CA Schools & Higher Education Summit

In October, several ECCLPs leaders participated in the Green CA Schools and Higher Education Summit at the Pasadena Conference Center as panelists or presenters.

The summit brought together professionals from the public and private sectors involved in facility project design, decarbonization, water conservation, electric vehicles, and electric vehicle infrastructure. The focus was on school and higher education facilities and programs centered around decarbonization efforts.

Thank you to ECCLPs leaders for centering on the importance of multi-system partnerships centered on equity and justice!

Unlock the Power of Storytelling to Engage Our Communities in Climate Action with Change Narrative and ECCLPs with these 5 tips!

Explore our newest ECCLPs Micro-Learning video showcasing the impactful role of art as a medium in climate change communication. Engage with our new storytelling prompt to inspire change in your community.

Ready to share your climate story? Join ECCLPs partner and Change Narrative founder, Jothsna Harris , to harness the power of storytelling for climate action.

Introducing Our Next Micro-Learning Series: Tips for Climate Leaders to Engage and Captivate Online Audiences!

ECCLPs has partnered with Lorraine Lee , top virtual keynote speaker and experienced instructor at LinkedIn Learning Instructor and Stanford Continuing Studies , to create a virtual communication toolkit!

This toolkit seeks to empower climate change leaders by enhancing their skills in effective climate change communication. Help inspire change in your community by reviewing her first of five key tips on creating a professional virtual set up on our website today! We'll release these short videos each month so stay tuned for more.

Stay Informed and Get Involved:

Key Resources and Info for Strategic Climate Action

• The U.S. Department of the Interior and the U.S. Global Change Research Program is now seeking author nominations for their first National Nature Assessment . This assessment will provide an overview on various sectors of the U.S. including lands, waters, wildlife and the benefits that they provide to our society. Deadline is January 4th!

• Raise the Bar: Lead the World are three new pillars created by the U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona . These pillars are a call to help strengthen our will to transform education in the U.S. and help promote academic excellence, improve learning conditions, and prepare our students to be active global citizens. There is an open call for best practices.

• Review the U.S. strategy to respond to the effects of climate change on women . These commitments serve as first steps to acknowledging women's pivotal role in climate action, promoting gender equality, and aligning with U.S. government priorities for a sustainable future.

• Analyze the Forging Climate Solutions: How to Accelerate Action report from the Commission on Accelerating Climate Action of the American Academy of Arts & Science. This report includes five recommended strategies to help reduce emissions, promote adaptation and advance frontline communities against climate change.

• Check out " Chasing Dust " released by Scripps Oceanography at UCSD, where Steering Committee Member Nan Renner current leads, to see researchers studying the impact of dust on both the environment and human health.

• Explore this interactive map displaying national data from the Environmental Protection Agency revealing water systems that have detected toxic PFA chemicals across communities.

• Learn more about the newly appointed National Environmental Youth Advisory Council members by the Environmental Protection Agency . Which includes our very own Steering Committee Member Kristy Drutman (Congratulations Kristy!!!) . Council members will play a critical role and lens to shed light on how the impacts of climate change and other environmental issues affect youth and communities.

• The Energy Coalition is now recruiting high school juniors and seniors for their Energy is Everything Fellowship Program. This is a great opportunity for students interested in solving real-world projects in energy and sustainability.

Invest in Climate Literacy, Justice, and Action

A gift to this UC–CSU initiative is an investment in the partnerships and strategies that will educate and activate all of California’s high school graduates to be literate in climate and environmental justice issues and solutions. The UCI School of Education serves as a hub for this initiative. 

Contact: Sarah Garcia, Senior Associate Director of Development, UC Irvine |  sgarci@uci.edu  | (949) 824-2741. 

Have Feedback?

Please use the comment button below to provide your suggestions, comments, or questions for the ECCLPs team. Your input is valuable to us and we appreciate opportunities to connect.