We spend a lot of time talking about climate change — but not nearly enough time understanding it.

Most of us were never really taught how to understand it, especially in a way that connects it to history, systems, power, and the everyday decisions we’re making.

This week, I’m joined by Brittany Jefferson, an educator and founder of EJ EDU, to talk about climate literacy — what it means, why it matters, and how it shapes the way we think about everything from education to environmental justice.

We talk about why climate can’t just live in science class, what’s missing from how it’s typically taught, and how understanding the bigger picture can change the way we approach sustainability.

We also bring this into everyday life — from raising kids and navigating climate anxiety to having conversations at home and taking local climate action.

Takeaways

• What climate literacy actually means
• Why social studies, history, and systems thinking are essential to understanding climate change
• Environmental justice and who is most affected by the systems we live in
• The role of education as a climate solution
• How kids are already engaging with climate — from curiosity to overwhelm
• Ways to approach climate conversations at home in age-appropriate, grounded ways
• Navigating the tension between individual action and systemic change

One Small Shift

Download the Climate Venn Diagram. It’s a simple but powerful way to figure out where your skills, your interests, and the needs of the world overlap — and where you can focus your time and energy.

Connect with Brittany
Instagram
Patreon
Teachers Pay Teachers

Resources

All We Can Save – Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson (book)
What If We Get It Right? – Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson (book)
How to Talk to Your Kids About Climate Change - Harriet Shugarman (book)
Earth Matters (educational game)

Related Episodes
Ep. 5: How to Navigate Climate Emotions with Jen Knoch

Ep. 7: Rethinking Zero Waste with April Dickinson

Ep. 42: Overwhelmed by Climate Change? The Climate Venn Diagram Can Help

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Sustainable in the Suburbs is mixed and edited by Cardinal Studio

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