Seal of Climate Literacy

The Seal of Climate Literacy, established through Colorado Senate Bill 24-014, is a high school diploma endorsement that connects educational knowledge with the real challenges and opportunities that climate change brings to each of our communities. It offers students a chance to engage directly with issues that impact their local environment and communities through course work and hands-on learning. Attainment of the Seal of Climate Literacy @BVSD illuminates the ways students in BVSD show their commitment to sustainability, the environment and climate literacy in our community.

Read the bill here: Colorado Senate Bill 24-014

The Seal of Climate Literacy is awarded to graduating high school students who are literate in climate literacy. Climate literacy means an understanding of the essential principles of the earth's climate system, assessing scientifically credible climate information, learning to communicate about the climate in a meaningful manner, and making informed and responsible decisions regarding action that may affect the climate.

In order to earn the Seal of Climate Literacy @BVSD, students must demonstrate their high proficiency in both climate literacy understanding and a commitment to sustainability, the environment and climate literacy in our community over time using the approved criteria below.

1.  Complete all Graduation Requirements (State of Colorado Requirements) 

✔  Students must fulfill all BVSD graduation requirements in order to earn the Seal. Students who are not yet high school seniors may complete all other requirements prior to their senior year. Students who are not yet high school seniors may complete all other requirements prior to their senior year.

2. Show Proficiency in Climate Literacy (State of Colorado Requirements)

 ✔  Complete one high school science course that incorporates climate literacy principles (Possible Grad +Connection)

✔  Complete a second course that incorporates climate literacy principles (Possible Grad + Connection)

3. Experiential Learning Portfolio Project: Show Commitment to Sustainability, the Environment and Climate Literacy in Our Community Over Time: (State of Colorado/BVSD Requirements - Grades 6-12)

✔  Complete an experiential learning portfolio project related to a local climate problem and climate literacy principles. The portfolio includes: 

✔ At least five experiences related to the local problem and climate literacy principles

✔ The experiences represent two or more categories 

✔ Experiences can be from Grades 6-12. Can connect to Grad + and Partnerships.
 

Category #1 Additional Coursework or Certification (Grad+ Connection)	Category #2 Work, Volunteer or Intern (Grad+ Connection)	Category #3    Co-Curricular or Extracurricular Activities	Category #4 Leadership, Activism and Action

Experiences by Category Guide - Seal of Climate Literacy @BVSD 

 

Seal of Climate Literacy Rubric

Seal of Climate Literacy @BVSD Rubric

Climate literacy is an understanding of how the climate system works, how human actions influence climate, and how climate influences people and other parts of the Earth system. Climate literacy is important because people who understand the processes, causes, and effects of climate change are better able to assess evidence and claims about evidence, discuss options to manage risks, and take well-informed actions.

A climate-literate person:

• Understands the essential principles of Earth’s climate system and the options to address human-caused climate change;

• Recognizes credible information about climate change and knows where to find it;

• Communicates about climate change in accurate and effective ways; and

• Is able to make informed decisions related to climate change.

For a full list of Principles and Concepts, look here Climate Literacy Guide.  Here are the Essential Principles for Understanding and Addressing Climate Change from the U.S. Global Change Research Program:

Climate Literacy: Essential Principles for Understanding and Addressing Climate Change

Essential Principle 1: How We Know

Scientists understand the climate system through interdisciplinary observations and modeling.

Essential Principle 2: Climate Change

Greenhouse gasses shape Earth’s climate.

Essential Principle 3: Causes

Burning fossil fuels and other human activities are causing the planet to warm.

Essential Principle 4: Impacts

Rapid warming and other large-scale climate changes threaten human and ecological systems.

Essential Principle 5: Equity

Climate justice is possible if climate actions are equitable.

Essential Principle 6: Adaptation

Humans can adapt social, built, and natural environments to better withstand the impacts of climate change.

Essential Principle 7: Mitigation 

Reducing emissions of greenhouse gasses from human activities to net zero by 2050 can help limit global warming and climate change impacts.

Essential Principle 8: Hope and Urgency 

A livable and sustainable future for all is possible with rapid, just, and transformational climate action.

Climate Literacy Resources

Climate Literacy Guide

Conocimiento Climático de NOAA

Introduction to the 2024 Climate Literacy Guide

Bringing Climate Change Topics into your Classroom

Teaching Climate

 

If you intend to apply this year, please complete this form: 

Seal of Climate Literacy @BVSD Interest Form

Your application will be reviewed by a panel of students, staff and partners using the Seal of Climate Literacy @BVSD Rubric. The panel will inform you whether you have satisfied the criteria or if more information is needed. You will have the opportunity to revise your submission. You are required to officially present the portfolio of your work. The portfolio can take any form (poster, website, oral presentation, podcast, etc.) This presentation will occur at the Celebration of Impact event in April.

If you have met the requirements by the Celebration of Impact event in April, you will receive a graduation cord and certificate at the event. You will be recognized at graduation by wearing your graduation cord. All students who meet the Seal of Literacy  @BVSD criteria by the time that transcripts are finalized, will have the achievement noted on their transcript as a diploma endorsement from the State of Colorado.

Student's teachers and/or counselors can acknowledge that a student is “On track to achieve the Seal of Climate Literacy in BVSD” when writing college recommendation letters, if students:

• Are on track to graduate;
• Have completed or are enrolled in two courses related to climate literacy;
• Have submitted the interest form;
• Have attended one information session; and 
• Are making progress on their experiential project.

All students who meet the Seal of Climate Literacy @BVSD Criteria by the time that transcripts are finalized will have the achievement noted on their transcript as a diploma endorsement from the state of Colorado.