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Find your inner climate action hero!

climate action heroes

by National Children's Museum

Planet Earth needs our help. Human activity is causing our planet to get warmer very quickly. This is called climate change. Earth's changing climate causes problems for plants and animals, the ocean and freshwater, and humans around the world. We all have a superpower within us. Discover your inner climate action hero at National Children's Museum.

Already know your inner superhero? Scroll below to learn more about your special powers!

weather and climate change

Weather is what we see when we look outside our window or take a walk outside. Is it hot or cold today? Is it sunny, raining or snowing? Weather changes everyday, even multiple times a day. That is why you might check the weather report before getting dressed for school.

Climate is how we describe weather over a long period of time for a specific area. For example, the climate in the Bahamas is much warmer than the climate in Alaska.

Climate change is how scientists describe and measure what is happening to all of the Earth's climate. Scientists have determined that the Earth's climate is changing due to human activity. These changes are causing problems across the entire world.

community captain

Cool! You're a Community Captain.

Community Captains focus on reducing waste.
You encourage reducing, reusing, refusing, and recycling in your home, school, and community.
You care about where our trash goes.

why the world needs you

One-third of the food we make never gets eaten. The process of growing, making, storing, and disposing food emits greenhouse gases. (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations)
In the United Sates, each person produces over four pounds of trash per day. (EPA)

learn more

Discover ways you can eliminate waste and protect your environment: https://kids.niehs.nih.gov/topics/reduce/

pollinator patrol

Party time! You're a Pollinator Patrol.

Pollinator Patrollers protect and support pollinators of all kinds. This includes bees, other insects, birds, and bats, and the plants they help pollinate*.

*Pollination is how flowers, fruits, and vegetables reproduce to create offspring.

why the world needs you

Pollinators are responsible for one out of every three bites of food we take. (American Beekeeping Federation)
Due to climate change and human activity, bee populations are declining around the world.
(World Wildlife Federation)

learn more

“A Bee is More Than a Bug” at NASA’s Climate Kids: https://climatekids.nasa.gov/bees/
Learn more about Bees while playing Minecraft! Kids and Bees has partnered with Minecraft: Education Edition for this engaging and playful resource.
Learn more about pollination in this video by SciShow Kids: https://youtu.be/txv2k7OoY7U

arbor avenger

Awesome! You're an Arbor Avenger.

Arbor Avengers defend our trees. You focus on the health and protection of tree cover and trees’ role in the absorption of greenhouse gases. You also encourage reducing paper use and waste.

why the world needs you

One hundred trees remove 53 tons (or 106,000 pounds) of carbon dioxide and 430 pounds of other air pollutants per year. (United States Forest Service)
Around the world, it is estimated that roughly 15 billion trees are cut down each year. (Yale University)
A single healthy tree can have the cooling power of more than ten air conditioning units. (United Nations Environment Programme)
Trees help runoff and erosion caused by rainfall. (Environmental Protection Agency)

learn more

Find family-friendly activities and resources at: https://discovertheforest.org/

mighty meteorologist

Marvelous! You're a Mighty Meteorologist.

Mighty Meteorologists discover weather patterns
and make predictions. You focus on safety, preparation, and response to extreme weather events. You also help with climate resilience*.

*Climate resilience is the ability to prepare for, react, and adapt to extreme weather events.

why the world needs you

In 2018, natural disasters cost the world $155 billion. (Washington Post)
Without big reductions in fossil fuel emissions, the severity and frequency of extreme weather events is expected to increase. (Fourth National Climate Assessment)
Each year, the United States averages 10,000 thunderstorms, 5,000 floods, 1,300 tornadoes, and two Atlantic hurricanes, as well as widespread droughts and wildfires. (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration)

learn more

PLAN!T NOW’s Young Meteorologist Program takes you on a severe weather preparedness adventure where you’ll encounter lightning, hurricanes, tornadoes, floods and winter storms – all while learning about severe weather science and safety.
Visit SciJinks, a weather website designed especially for children by NASA and NOAA.
What happens when ocean currents and air masses interact? Find out in Weather Lab! Take on the role of a meteorologist by predicting spring weather and how people should dress for it in particular regions of the United States.

water warrior

Wow! You're a Water Warrior.

Water Warriors protect our ocean and freshwater by keeping them clean. You focus on access to clean drinking water. You also help with drought
preparation and response.

why the world needs you

One-third of the food we make never gets eaten. The process of growing, making, storing, and disposing food emits greenhouse gases. (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations)
In the United States, each person produces over four pounds of trash per day. (Environmental Protection Agency)
Thirty percent of all outdoor lighting in the United States is considered light pollution. That adds up to $3.3 billion in wasted energy and the release of 21 million tons of carbon dioxide per year. (Dark Sky/International Dark-Sky Association)

learn more

Discover ways you can eliminate waste and protect your environment: https://kids.niehs.nih.gov/topics/reduce/