Climate Literacy Committees: What the interns have to say!

These past few weeks, interns at Skyline and Pinole were asked to reflect on their work throughout this internship, and what climate literacy means to them. Below you will see interns written responses to select prompts surrounding climate literacy and local climate issues.

Why is climate literacy important?

– Leo, Pinole Valley Junior

– Lucia, Skyline Junior

“Climate change often gets talked about like it’s some distant, future problem, something for scientist politicians or later generations to worry about. Climate change is already affecting daily life in very real ways. Understanding climate change isn’t just about remembering the facts, it’s about being able to recognize  how it shows up in our life and how to respond. As an example think about the extreme heat in california and how are summers are getting hotter  and longer for people that don’t have air conditioning at home the heat waves can make it very hard to sleep , and to focus on homework or even feel fine indoors, some of these families face higher bills just to keep their homes cool and livable , forcing them to choose between comfort or their basic needs, climate literacy helps students understand why heat waves are becoming more intense and how our communities can adapt through cooling places or energy efficient housing. Another real life issue that we have to face is food insecurity and how climate changes affect the rainfall patterns and crop yields. When more crops fail or become more expensive to grow, food prices rise. People have been noticing their foods no longer being able to get them or becoming too expensive to buy regularly. Learning about climate systems helps explain how droughts, floods and also climate temperatures affect us. Understanding climate change won’t solve everything but it gives people the knowledge and the voices. In a world that’s changing very fast, that kind of understanding is essential.”

– Sanaii, Pinole Valley Junior

“Climate literacy is crucial because it empowers individuals and communities to understand
climate change, its causes, impacts and solutions. This equips communities with the knowledge necessary to make informed decisions, adapt to changes, communicate effectively, and support actions that build a sustainable, resilient future for everyone. Without climate literacy, people may know that “the climate is bad,” but they often don’t understand how bad it really is, why it’s happening, or how deeply it affects our everyday lives. For a long time, I was under the impression that I understood climate change. I knew the basic stuff, like global temperatures rising, sea levels increasing, ice caps melting, and we’re supposed to recycle and reduce waste. I assumed that was enough knowledge. But once I actually learned more, I realized how surface-level my understanding was. Climate literacy showed me that climate change isn’t just about big, and obvious problems, but it’s also about smaller and hidden issues that most people never talk about. An example of this is TRWPs, which are tire and road wear particles. Before learning about
them in Earth Team, I had absolutely no clue what they were. When I first heard the term, my
reaction was literally “What the heck is that?” I didn;t know that simply driving a car causes
microplastics from tires to wear off and end up in the environment. These microscopic particles are a form of pollution that can enter waterways, soil, and even the air we breathe. Learning this was extremely shocking to me because driving is such a normal, everyday activity. It made me realize that climate change and environmental damage aren’t just solely caused by factories or massive disasters, but also by the systems we rely on daily.
This is why climate literacy is so important. It helps people, like me, connect their everyday
actions to larger environmental impacts. Without understanding concepts like TRWPs, people may think they aren’t contributing to climate change because they recycle or don;t litter. Climate literacy fills in those gaps and encourages deeper awareness rather than false reassurance. Overall, climate literacy transforms confusion into understanding, and awareness, into action.”

– Angela, Pinole Valley Senior

“Young people are the future, and education is the foundation to advocating for change. Why would we not want to live on a cleaner planet? News about the climate can be both overlooked and overwhelming. Some people simply choose to turn a blind eye to the environment, as if problems are too complex for us to help out. It’s easy to think that all hope is lost, that Earth is too polluted to save, or the temperatures are too high for us to survive, but the truth is…there are solutions, and climate literacy is the key for people to find them. Pinole is a huge watershed, home to winding creeks and chipper wildlife. However, Pinole is also home to many, many people, and as a result, gas-emitting cars and plastic pollution are ever so present throughout the city. Regular clean-ups and trash assessments are essential to keeping my hometown environment clean. Without climate literacy, I wouldn’t have known about the importance of public transportation, reusable packaging, and advocating for sustainable practices. Climate literacy is not just important for students, but for adults as well. In 2025, ET Pinole (my school!) presented our climate literacy framework to the Pinole City Council, and I was surprised to hear that many members were influenced by our presentation to bring more improvements regarding sustainability and pollution in Pinole. Our presentation advocated for more change, and as a result, changes happened! Environmental improvements cannot happen if we don’t know what needs to change. Through climate literacy, we can teach our communities about what issues are at hand, and what we can do to solve them, encouraging young children and students to innovate and work towards solutions that help better the land that we reside on. Communicating our climate knowledge is essential to spreading awareness about the climate and solving environmental issues”

– Dominque, Pinole Valley Junior

“The most pressing problem of the 20th century is climate change. It fills the media, and we see it getting worse every year. Global temperatures keep rising, weather patterns are unpredictable, and sea levels are increasing. Climate literacy helps us understand our changing planet. It gives people the knowledge they need about Earth’s climate system and the effects of human actions. Understanding climate literacy is important for everyone, not just academics. It supports informed decision-making at personal, community, and global levels. Knowing the causes and effects of climate change helps us prepare for the future. Climate literacy enables individuals to make sustainable choices in their everyday lives, such as reducing energy use, cutting waste, and supporting eco-friendly products and services. A collective change in behavior, driven by informed citizens, could significantly reduce environmental damage. Climate literacy is essential for promoting effective policies and actions. When people understand the scientific agreement on climate change, they can engage more meaningfully in public discussions, push for responsible environmental policies, and hold leaders accountable. They can also better evaluate proposed solutions, moving beyond simple or misguided responses. Education is crucial for building climate literacy. It can foster a sense of responsibility and unity among students. Including climate science in the curriculum from an early age ensures that future generations not only recognize the challenges but also develop critical thinking skills to tackle them. Climate literacy is an investment in our shared future. It aims to lead us to a healthier planet, preparing us for the environmental challenges ahead with knowledge, readiness, and a common commitment to sustainability. Being able to explain and understand climate issues is essential to the future of the planet and can be made possible by a Climate literacy curriculum.”

– Sol, Skyline Junior

Climate literacy is an individual’s understanding of the way the Earth’s environment is impacted by human behavior and how humans are impacted by the environment around them. Climate literacy is extremely important because it allows an individual to make meaningful decisions that benefit the environment which will ultimately benefit them. Not everyone is climate literate due to the absence of climate literacy education in schools across the nation, however everyone should have an understanding of how their actions greatly impact their environment and the longevity of the Earth. An example of why climate literacy is important is a pattern I have noticed within teenagers, specifically Skyline High students. Many Skyline High students receive school lunch daily which is served on a paper food tray with a milk carton, plastic utensils, paper napkins, and a clear plastic fruit cup. When lunch is over many Skyline High students struggle to correctly dispose of their meal. Around the Skyline campus there are waste bins usually in groups of three consisting of a trash, recycling, and compost bin in different colors to encourage students to correctly throw away their trash. However, a recurring pattern that I have noticed is that many students tend to throw their whole meal into the bin closest to them, completely disregarding the correct bin. This shows that students are either unaware of the correct way to dispose of their waste, don’t fully understand the consequences of incorrectly throwing away their trash, or both. If students were taught and consistently reminded of the harmful effects that incorrectly throwing waste away causes, they will be less likely to carelessly continue this bad habit. Students will be less likely to continue if they were climate literate, as they understood the increasing greenhouse gas emissions created just by them mixing waste. With a general understanding of climate literacy within American schools, the nation can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and slow down climate change. 

– Kalissa, Skyline Junior

Explain a local climate issue, what causes it, and what are possible solutions.

– Leo, Pinole Valley Junior

“One of the biggest climate issues in the Bay Area is the risk of wildfires. Because of the Bay’s mediterranean climate, steep terrain, flammable plants and seasonal winds, it is a hotspot for wildfires to spark and spread. Having a mediterranean climate means that even though we have cold and wet winters, our summers are hot and extra dry. The combination of the heat, dryness and winds are the perfect recipe for a wildfire. The most common cause for wildfires is humans. The majority of wildfires are started by campfires, cigarettes, fireworks, and powerlines. In November of 2018, the town of Paradise, California was practically burned down. It is known as one of the most destructive and dangerous wildfires in California history. This fire was started by a faulty PG&E line, with high winds knocking down the line, allowing the fire to spread. Around 18,000 structures were destroyed and 85 people lost their lives. Because humans are the main cause of wildfires, that means that we can prevent them as well. If our communities made a concerted effort to implement fire safe habits, the rate of wildfires would greatly decrease. Some things that we can do are not leaving our vampires unattended, clearing flammable vegetation around our houses, being mindful of where we dispose of flammable items, and creating safety evacuation plans. California is historically known as the state with the most wildfires in the whole United States. These fires can be extremely dangerous and deadly, so it is important to learn what to do in a situation where one occurs. The first step to preventing wildfires from happening is being aware of what we can do as a society. The second step is to focus on informing our community members and being more mindful of our everyday habits. “

– Lucia, Skyline Junior

“…To address this problem, the City of Pinole adopted its Climate Action and Adaptation Plan (CAAP) in August 2024. The Climate Action and Adaptation Plan is a strategic framework designed to reduce greenhouse gas emission, improving resilience to climate impacts like flooding and extreme heat. Measures include reducing reliance on fossil fuels, electrifying buildings, and planning for extreme climate events (City of Pinole, 2024). By combining mitigation with adaptation, the Climate Action and Adaptation Plan helps make Pinole Valley more resilient, protecting public health and infrastructure as the climate continues to change. In the long term, proactive planning through the Climate Action and Adaptation Plan allows the city of Pinole to prepare for future climate impacts, rather than reacting after damage has already occurred. These strategies not only reduce environmental risks, but also supports community safety, economic stability, and sustainable development for future generations.”

– Angela, Pinole Valley Senior

“Local climate change is affecting a lot of communities in serious ways. One major problem is extreme weather, such as stronger storms, heat waves and more. These events can mess up homes, schools , and roads and they can make it hard for families to afford repairs . Another issue is poor air quality caused by the pollution and wildfire smoke, which can lead to asthma and other health problems , especially for children and older adults. Rising temperatures can also increase the water shortages and the harm of local plants and the animals, affecting food supplies and the natural system. There are a lot of very practical solutions and communities that can solve the problem. The cities can invest in clean energy like solar and wind power to reduce pollution. Planting more trees helps lower the temperatures and improves the air quality. improving public transportation and it also encourages biking or walking that can cut down on car emissions. The communities can also prepare for extreme weather by building stronger structures and creating emergency plans. On a personal level, people can conserve water, recycle and the use of energy efficient appliances by working together, local governments and residents can reduce the climate impacts that it creates for a more healthier and safer communities for everyone.”

– Sanaii, Pinole Valley Junior

– Kalissa, Skyline Junior

Sea level rise is a major local climate issue that the Bay Area, like many coastal regions, must deal with. California’s vast coastline, which is home to numerous infrastructure types and densely populated areas, is directly threatened by this issue. Sea level rise in the Bay Area is mostly caused by global warming brought on by greenhouse gas emissions. As a result of global warming, ocean water expands thermally as temperatures rise and glaciers and ice sheets melt globally, increasing the amount of water in the oceans. Particularly in the Bay Area, land subsidence—the sinking of land—only exacerbates the severity of sea level rise. Sea level rise has far-reaching effects. It raises the possibility of coastal flooding during storm surges and high tides, endangering residences, companies, andCalifornia’s vast coastline, which is home to numerous infrastructure types and densely populated areas, is directly threatened by this issue. Sea level rise in the Bay Area is mostly caused by global warming brought on by greenhouse gas emissions. As a result of global warming, ocean water expands thermally as temperatures rise and glaciers and ice sheets melt globally, increasing the amount of water in the oceans. Particularly in the Bay Area, land subsidence—the sinking of land—only exacerbates the severity of sea level rise. Sea level rise has far-reaching effects. Like many coastal areas, the Bay Area is dealing with a serious local climate issue: sea level rise. California’s vast coastline, which is home to numerous infrastructure types and densely populated areas, is directly threatened by this issue. Sea level rise in the Bay Area is mostly caused by global warming brought on by greenhouse gas emissions. As a result of global warming, ocean water expands thermally as temperatures rise and glaciers and ice sheets melt globally, increasing the amount of water in the oceans. Particularly in the Bay Area, land subsidence—the sinking of land—only exacerbates the severity of sea level rise. Sea level rise has far-reaching effects. Like many coastal areas, the Bay Area is dealing with a serious local climate issue: sea level rise. California’s vast coastline, which is home to numerous infrastructure types and densely populated areas, is directly threatened by this issue. 

– Sol, Skyline Junior

What have you learned from our CLIC project and how has it impacted you?

“The CLIC project has taught me new perspectives and ways of thinking and also has educated me on different issues which are impacting our environment and communities. By listening to different guest speakers I have heard different perspectives on climate issues and learned a lot of valuable information. One example of valuable information I have learned would be what has been taught to me about Tire road ware particles (TRWP). TRWP’s are microplastics which are sourced back to the tires on our vehicles. By participating in the CLIC project and listening to various guest speakers I have learned a lot of information on this subject. TWRPs affect all of us and some more than others. Another important perspective that the CLIC project has shown me is that of environmental justice. All of the climate issues that we learn about always impact certain communities or groups of people more than others. This can be seen with TRWP’s as communities who live closer to roads or highways are at higher risk of the dangers of TRWP’s. People who live near highways are more likely to breathe in these microplastics and be affected by the potential negative effects as well. The CLIC project continues to teach me new things and show me new perspectives.”

– Leo, Pinole Valley Junior

“Starting last year, when I joined Earth Team, we have focused on creating climate literacy frameworks that can be implemented into lessons to educate the youth. Last school year, my group worked on creating a slide deck that we later presented to the Sustainability teacher and another staff member. This year my group has created a slide deck for elementary school students. We chose the topic of food waste. In these slides, we provided general information about food waste. We covered a brief overview, some background information, and our impact on food waste. Within the slides, there are three activities provided to the teacher that are intended to deepen the understanding of food waste and understand how composting works. The first activity is with sorting cards. The students will be provided with cards containing different food and packaging items. Then, they will be instructed to sort the items into three sections, representing compost, recycling, and landfill. This is just one example of an activity we have implemented into our lesson that is meant to help the children with a visual of disposing properly. We hope that with this useful information, the kids will use sustainable practices in their day to day lives.
During the CLIC project, I have personally learned some interesting facts about food waste that I had not known before. I also learned about ways to make the slides engaging and appeal to a younger crowd, who might not know about the topic, let alone other climate issues. Climate literacy is just recently being implemented in education systems, so it is important to slowly introduce these new concepts to the children. This has impacted me because I have had to put myself into a 4th graders shoes. As I stated
before, students at this age usually haven’t had many climate literacy lessons. It is important to take this into consideration when creating lessons, because you want the information to stand out, and stick with them. I have learned that it is much different than creating informational slides for a high school class, because the CLIC slides are mainly about teaching them the basics.”

– Lucia, Skyline Junior

Even though I haven’t been able to attend Earth Team Wednesday meetings regularly, I have
still tried to contribute to Earth Team’s CLIC project in meaningful ways. One way I’ve done this is by being proactive. I reached out to interns who are currently attending meetings to ask for updates on what has been going on and whether they need assistance. One intern in particular, Camila, has been the most helpful. She provides me with frequent updates and CLIC performances. This helps me stay informed about the project’s progress, ensuring I am able to support the team even if I am not physically present at the meetings. This also allows me to build strong communication skills, as I have to ask questions and listen carefully to understand what the team is working on. Another way I have contributed is through the CLIC presentation. Even without attending meetings, I help by reviewing materials, providing feedback, and offering suggestions to improve the clarity and impact of the presentation. Though I have only done this to Camila’s slides. This has allowed me to practice collaboration in a remote or indirect setting, learning how to make meaningful contributions without direct supervision or face-to-face interaction. It has also taught me the importance of staying engaged, being proactive, and taking initiative even in situations where I might not have all the information firsthand. Through this process, I have learned that contributing to a team is not only about attending meetings or compelling assignments, rather it is also about communication, adaptability, and supporting others wherever possible. I have gained a better understanding of how collaborative projects function, including how ideas are shared, responsibilities are divided, and tasks are coordinated among multiple team members. This experience has impacted me by reinforcing the value of initiative, responsibility, and teamwork, showing me that every small contribution can help the team move forward. Overall, even though my involvement has been indirect, I feel that I have still been an active and supportive member of the Earth team. With me being proactive, staying informed, and contributing to the CLIC presentation in ways that I can, I have strengthened my skills in communication, collaboration, and adaptability. This ultimately helped me develop a deeper appreciation for teamwork.

– Angela, Pinole Valley Senior

 “What I learned from the CLIC project is a lot of different things. I learned how to plant, I also learned about TWRP and ways to keep the earth more cleaner and better. Learning about tire and road wear particles has helped a lot with how I understand my everyday activities like driving can affect the environment. TWRP are the tiny particles created when the tires rub against the road, and they can wash into our rivers, lakes, and also our oceans through our rainwater, these small pieces of plastic and rubber can cause so much harm to our wildlife and it can also lead it to polluting our water and wildlife, without us even knowing by me learning about this issue it helps me prevent making the mistake it also helps better my community such as improving road designs, using longer lasting tires and safer materials. At the same time, keeping the earth cleaner starts with gaining simple habits like not littering, recycling and reducing waste. Planting trees and other plants is also an important solution is because it improves our air quality, and helps prevent flooding by soaking up the rainwater. Green spaces also can provide homes for animals and make our neighborhoods healthier and cleaner. I feel like when people start to understand the problems like traps and take better action by planting and protecting our environment, they also become a part of the solution. Education encourages the small actions.”

– Sanaii, Pinole Valley Junior