U.S. Climate Resilience Toolkit

This online module series aims to increase the capacity of municipal decision makers to make effective choices supporting resilience to the impacts from climate change. Considering current and future impacts helps shape decisions that enhance the health, safety, and welfare of Rhode Island’s communities. The brief modules provide an understanding of the implications of a changing climate in Rhode Island. Each module consists of a voice-over PowerPoint, speaker notes, and a resources document. Relevant examples and lessons learned from Rhode Island communities are included, as well as ways to use various resources and tools in decision making. PREP-RI builds upon existing state efforts and is the product of collaboration among experts from a variety of fields. While this series is primarily geared toward coastal municipalities, much of the information will be helpful for inland communities as well as other public- and private-sector stakeholders throughout the state.

This course covers a step-by-step approach that can be used to create a new conservation plan or update an existing one that incorporates climate change information. It is suitable for anyone working to manage or conserve lands in coastal areas. This includes wetland, floodplain, or emergency managers, planners, or conservation organizations. The course's six iterative steps draw from existing strategic conservation planning frameworks; however, the steps here focus on climate considerations and key resources relevant to the coastal environment, including coastal watersheds.

The Climate Learning Network's eLearning program is designed to help Extension professionals, professional crop advisors, and professional foresters incorporate climate change into their existing program areas and become climate literate. Many modules offer Continuing Education Credits from the Society of American Foresters (SAF) and Certified Crop Advisors (CCA). Modules topics include basic climate science, communication, climate variability, vulnerability assessments, agricultural adaptation practices, and resilient land management.

This educational module provides a brief overview of three adaptation options to climate change—resistance, resilience, and transition—and how to incorporate these ideas into natural resource planning. A friendly and neutral approach presents feasible ways to respond to climate change through animations, examples, and outward links to more information. There is a regionally relevant 11-question activity following the main material, and and users who complete the activity will receive a printable certificate with their name and the date completed.

This training course describes the physical processes, both natural and human-induced, that lead to changes in sea level. The processes described include climate-induced changes in ocean heat content and volume, natural oceanic cycles, and both natural and human-induced changes in coastal land elevation. The learning is enhanced with rich graphics and periodic questions. The lesson will be useful for those working in the fields of coastal planning and infrastructure development.

This training module is designed to increase understanding of the causes of climate change, its potential impacts on water resources, and the challenges water resource managers are facing. Optional supplementary information on climate change impacts in the United States is included at the end of the course. This module is one of the core modules for the Watershed Academy Certificate Program. Completing this course entitles EPA employees to one Continuous Learning Point (CLP); non-EPA professional certifications can be used as described on the course's webpage.

Climate change interpretation can occur in many venues and formats. This modular self-study curriculum was designed by the National Park Service's Interpretive Development Program to hone knowledge and skills for interpreting climate change, and can be completed at the user's own time and pace. There are several ways to engage with the material—either in-depth with each of the study guides, or accessing information as and when needed. The training includes four modules: (1) Introduction to Interpreting Climate Change; (2) Knowledge of the Resource Issue; (3) Knowledge of the Audience; and (4) Appropriate Techniques and Strategies. Each module contains a Study Guide that provides activities, questions, and links to additional resources, as well as a Learning Companion, the content document developed by a subject matter team.

This is an active, hands-on training to help natural resources managers incorporate climate change considerations into their own real-world ecosystem management projects (not only forests). Participants are guided through the steps of the Adaptation Workbook to define their management objectives, identify relevant regional and local effects of climate change on forest ecosystems, identify challenges and opportunities for management, and develop actionable steps to adapt ecosystems to changing conditions. Participants are encouraged to access post-training support from the Northern Institute of Applied Climate Science, and to share their stories online as “adaptation demonstrations” at www.forestadaptation.org.

This educational module provides a brief overview of the climate system, greenhouse gases, climate models, current climate change impacts, and future projections. A friendly and neutral approach seeks to demystify and remove the charge from climate change. There is a 14-question activity at the end of the module, and users who complete the activity will receive a printable certificate with their name and the date completed.

This educational module provides a brief overview of current and projected climate change effects on water resources, vegetation, wildlife, and disturbances, specifically geared towards forest and grassland ecosystems. A friendly and neutral approach provides animations, examples, and outward links to more information. There is a 10-question activity at the end of the module, and users who complete the activity will receive a printable certificate with their name and the date completed.