How is climate change a social studies problem?

Indeed teaching Climate even raises eyebrows with some science teachers  that I've interacted with. How could you teach Climate in a Social Studies classroom? Do you even understand the science behind it all? (I certainly don't.) Let us know when you've "figured it out," one teacher even remarked to me... 

... and yet it certainly is a Social Studies issue - how we respond to Climate and educate the next generation (or don't!) will certainly have repercussions for generations to come. I emphasize that history is ultimately about choices and agency. So while I don't have all of the answers, I can help students see that they have choices for the direction we take as a a human society. I totally hear what you're saying   Eric Schulz  and  Donnetta Elsasser  about it being a hot button political issue. I totally get that it's easier to teach this where Climate is not considered a political issue (in my case, in NYC)... but even here there are all varieties of Climate skeptics. I had plenty of discussions who believe Climate Change is real but also think it has become too political... and that many activists are too hysterical.

I make it clear that what I'm teaching ( and I can't wait for Climate 2.0 curricula) is not about pursuing any one political Climate agenda - but just examining the latest research, the potential solutions and empowering students to ultimately be the ones who make sense of how Climate is impacting their world, our communities, and what they can do about it. Really embracing that role as lead learner (as opposed to lead climate activist) has allowed me to side step what could otherwise be considered controversial.

Molly Sinnott 

The very second an issue becomes political it becomes a social studies issue. 

The very second an issue becomes political it becomes a social studies issue. 

Touche!