Understand the Crisis
Learn about the climate emergency and its solutions
What's the Paris Agreement all about? How much has the world warmed already? What are the best solutions we have to solve the climate crisis? Why aren't politicians taking sufficient action? What does climate change even look like?
If you've been wanting answers to the above questions (and probably more) - it can feel intimidating figuring out where to find them. But you don't need to go it alone - we've got your back!
Below you'll find our favourite sources of reputable climate information. We've included Australian and international organisations, websites, reports, podcasts, documentaries, and more so you can get some clarity around the science, the politics and the solutions.
Learning about the climate and ecological crisis is a journey that at times can feel frustrating and scary and at others incredibly hopeful and inspiring.
Educating ourselves helps us to navigate the climate movement, take effective action and empower those around us. So download a report, grab your earbuds or even turn on the television - because there's no better time than right now to get clear on climate!
THE INTERGOVERNMENTAL PANEL ON CLIMATE CHANGE (IPCC)
The IPCC is the United Nations body for assessing the science related to climate change. The IPCC was created to provide policymakers with regular scientific assessments on climate change, its implications and potential future risks, as well as to put forward adaptation and mitigation options. It is the accepted global authority on climate change.
An IPCC report is an assessment that collects and summarises current knowledge of climate change. It is considered the leading review globally of climate change and is produced by a team of hundreds of scientists and specialists from a diverse range of disciplines.
Whilst the 2018 IPCC Special Report: Global Warming of 1.5 ºC was famously scary, many researchers consider the findings and language of IPCC reports to be conservative (as in, they downplay the full extent of the threat).
IPCC reports are long, dense and can be difficult to understand so consider checking out this explainer by CarbonBrief: How to read the IPCC reports.
Comprehensive scientific Assessment Reports take years to produce and are published every 6 to 7 years; the latest, the Fifth Assessment Report, was completed in 2014, the next, the Sixth Assessment Report, will become available in 2022.
In addition, to these comprehensive Assessment Reports, the IPCC also produces Special Reports, which are an assessment of a specific issue. Recent Special Reports include: Global Warming of 1.5 ºC, Climate Change and Land and the Ocean and Cryosphere in a Changing Climate.
Online Insights
A couple of our favourite webpages pitched for the average citizen.
Grist is an independent American based online publication covering topics like clean energy, sustainable food, livable cities, environmental justice, and a better economy.
The BBC Future's Smart Guide to Climate Change uses scientific research and data to break down the most effective strategies each of us can take to shrink our carbon footprint.
Books
International
The Future We Choose: the Stubborn Optimist's Guide to the Climate Crisis, by Christiana Figueres and Tom Rivett-Carnac (instrumental leaders of the Paris agreement), challenges us to choose between two possible scenarios for our planet with hope and determination.
The Uninhabitable Earth: a Story of the Future, by David Wallace-Wells, is a confronting book that explores some of the most frightening possible realities of climate change like famine, economic collapse and lethal heat.
Australian
The Climate Cure: Solving the Climate Emergency in the Era of Covid-19, by Tim Flannery, flips the climate debate on its head, and exposes who is left standing in the way of action in Australia.
Sunburnt Country: The History and Future of Climate Change in Australia, by Joëlle Gergis, answers the question - what did the climate look like in Australia's past and how is it changing as a result of global heating?
Superpower: Australia's Low-Carbon Opportunity, by Ross Garnaut, offers a road map for progress and decarbonisation, covering energy, transport, agriculture, the international scene and more.
Climate Change and the Outdoors
Learn more about the effect climate impacts are having on our favourite outdoor places in Australia and our ability to enjoy them here.
The Mountain Journal is an online publication covering the environment, news, culture from the Australian Alps.
Climate Council Reports
Game, Set, Match: Calling Time on Climate Inaction (2021) describes how climate change is affecting sport, including surfing and cycling, in Australia and how sport can also be a powerful force for change.
Icons at Risk: Climate Change Threatening Australian Tourism (2018) an essential read if you work in outdoor tourism.
Climate Action Meets Adventure
If you love adventure flicks check out these epic documentaries that have paired outdoor pursuits and climate action!
Chasing Coral (2017) - Divers, photographers and scientists set out on an ocean adventure to reveal our disappearing reefs to the world.
Chasing Ice (2012) - The challenging, multi-year Extreme Ice Survey that chronicled of the planet's rapidly melting glaciers.