Introduction

Parramatta Climate Action Network (ParraCAN) aims to provide a forum for organisations, agencies and individuals to collaborate for action and climate education. Members of ParraCAN share ideas to coordinate efforts and advocate policy reform. They also collate learning resources and support integration of climate literacy into formal and informal education. Initiatives of ParraCAN include efforts to raise awareness and educate the public about climate change, sustainability and related issues, as well as supporting actions to address the urgency of global warming. ParraCAN's brochures and other materials feature accurate scientific information and engaging learning experiences, using multiple pathways to reach broad and diverse audiences.

Parramatta Climate Action Network (ParraCAN) was influenced by the following scientific organisations and individuals: James Hansen of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the UNFCC, David Spratt and Philip Sutton's book, Climate Code Red, and Tim Flannery's book The Weather Makers. These distinguished groups of scientists and educators have defined a set of essential principles and scientific thinking skills that a climate-literate person should understand. To this end, these scientists provide a common set of ideas that are scientifically accurate. In this way, they provide benchmarks for achievable goals.

As the world confronts the reality of global climate change, education has emerged as a crucial issue. An informed public should:

(a) understand the natural and human factors that affect climate;

(b) comprehend the potential dangers of large-scale impacts of climate change;

(c) consider the personal, regional and national responsibilities that might help reduce the rate and magnitude of climate change; and

(d) act to ensure resilient communities and a sustainable world.

This requires a multi-faceted approach to climate education in communities, learning institutions, museums, websites, public events and other information sources, with the support and direct involvement of educators and the climate movement, for example in attending the annual Climate Action Summit.

Dated 14 July 2011

History of ParraCAN

The first community action organised in the Parramatta region against climate change was in 2005. It was A Walk Against Warming coordinated by local environmentalist and teacher, Annie Nielsen, and has continued annually since then. The formation of ParraCAN happened out of a Parramatta Town Hall meeting initiated by the Australian Conservation Foundation and supported by Jenny Curtis from Climate Change Balmain Rozelle, to promote the formation of local climate action groups. Soon after, ParraCAN was officially launched at a public meeting in September 2007 and has been highly active ever since, having won three awards including two from the peak NSW environment group, the Nature Conservation Council.

A variety of organisations and groups established in NSW are making laudable efforts to embrace the challenge of global warming and have set climate change action as a priority. Many of the goals align with standards recognised as national, state and international standards. Yet, climate literacy is not just another educational topic --- it is one of the crucial challenges of our times. To this end, ParraCAN aims to coordinate this community-wide response and set over-arching goals and strategies to identify needs and promote a more cohesive vision for implementation plans. ParraCAN proposes to crystallise this community-wide response and fulfil an urgent need for a Climate Literacy Network.

The ParraCAN Climate Literacy Network will maintain ongoing liaison with Australia's peak body for climate change -- Climate Action Network Australia (CANA) -- as well as international organisations. It will share the information collated on global policies for climate change and climate education. In addition, it will aim to advocate policy reform and disseminate information for possible funding opportunities in the cause of climate change work.

Resources

Glossary of Climate Change Terms

Glossary of climate change acronyms

http://www.google.com.au/#hl=en&xhr=t&q=climate+change&cp=8&pf=p&sclient=psy&site=&source=hp&rlz=1R2SKPT_enAU431&aq=0&aqi=&aql=&oq=climate+&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.&fp=40fd9ca2e378f520&biw=1024&bih=588

Temperature Trends in the Lower Atmosphere: Steps for Understanding and Reconciling Differences. Thomas R. Karl, Susan J. Hassol, Christopher D. Miller, and William L. Murray, editors, 2006, Washington D.C.

A Report by the Climate Change Science Program and Subcommittee on Global Change Research, Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, Washington DC 2008, 29 May 2008.

http://www.climatechange.gov.au/climate change.aspx

Climate Change Fact Sheet.

http://www.climatechange.gov.au/media/whats-new/impacts-of-climate-change.aspx

Climate Literacy--The Essential Principles of Climate Sciences: A Guide for Individuals and Communities