The release of the 2024 Climate Literacy Guide by the federal government, which emphasizes climate justice, solutions, and the inclusion of Indigenous knowledge, marks a significant update to the principles guiding climate education. In response, CIRES' Climate Literacy and Energy Awareness Network (CLEAN) has incorporated these updated guidelines into its extensive online database, which provides educators with over 1,000 peer-reviewed resources on climate change, including curriculum, videos, and data visualizations. CLEAN, which has supported climate education since 2008, focuses on fostering effective teaching practices and offers professional development for educators. Read more on the CIRES website.

CIRES has partnered with the ADVANCEGeo Partnership to launch ADVANCEing FieldSafety, a free online course aimed at creating safer, more inclusive field environments in geoscience research. Available through Coursera, the course is open to anyone involved in fieldwork, including researchers, students, and technicians. It addresses long-standing issues like harassment and exclusion in fieldwork by offering tools to improve team culture, communication, and safety protocols. Read more about it on the CIRES website.

Antonietta Capotondi, Anne Gold, Matthew Shupe, and Christine Wiedinmyer joined the CIRES Council of Fellows, bringing diverse expertise in oceanography, climatology, atmospheric science, education, and engineering. As CIRES Fellows, they will advise the director and help guide the institute’s future. Capotondi studies ocean circulation and climate, Gold leads climate education efforts, Shupe focuses on Arctic atmospheric processes, and Wiedinmyer researches pollutant emissions and air quality. Their appointments enhance CIRES' mission to advance environmental science and education. Read more about it on the CIRES website.

Girls* on Rock program, a 12-day wilderness science expedition, empowers high school youth—cisgender girls, transgender, nonbinary, and genderqueer youth—through hands-on research, outdoor skills, and creative expression. Fully funded by the NSF in 2024, the program allows participants to conduct field research in Colorado’s alpine environment while learning rock climbing, survival skills, and teamwork. It combines science with art, fostering personal growth, confidence, and leadership. Participants gain valuable experiences that help them overcome barriers to science and outdoor education, with the program’s ongoing evaluation ensuring continuous improvement and long-term impact. Read more about it on the CIRES website.