Understanding climate change and key climate terms 

Whether you’re right at the start of your learning journey about climate change or have some knowledge already – these guides will take you step-by-step through the key facts. 

UK Met Office Guide to Climate Change – A straightforward guide to what climate change is, what causes it, and how it affects the UK now and in the future.  

United Nations Guide to Climate Change – A good explainer from a global perspective on the causes and challenges of climate change. This starter page has links to other UN starter guides too – on climate science, renewable energy, and net zero. 

The Climate Dictionary – An everyday guide to the key terms and concepts within the climate conversation, regularly updated.  

Climate Change Community Safety – An engaging, easy to understand, illustrated format that takes the reader through five key impacts of climate change, by Safer Communities Scotland.

Adaptation Scotland –  A breakdown of the 15 key consequences of climate change in Scotland. It includes some of the key impacts of climate change already observed in Scotland, and those which are likely to become more prevalent in the coming years.

Carbon Brief – To keep up to date with the latest news in the climate sector subscribe to Carbon Brief a UK-based website covering the latest developments in climate science, climate policy and energy policy. They have options for a weekly or daily bitesize newsletter.