A new report issued by the National Center for Science Education, "Toward a Climate & Energy Literate Society" (PDF) offers recommendations for improving climate and energy literacy in the United States over the course of the next decade. As NCSE's Mark McCaffrey remarked in a March 4, 2013, press release announcing the report, "We have lots of information about climate change, but much of it is falling on deaf ears"; "Toward a Climate & Energy Literate Society" is intended to provide a way forward. As the executive summary explains:

Understanding the causes of and responding to climate change is the major challenge of the 21st century. Most Americans do not understand the basics of climate change and energy or how they are inextricably connected, yet informed decisions, a prepared workforce, and risk reductions are not possible without a clear understanding of these topics. Research shows that in general those who have a basic understanding of the science are more concerned with addressing climate change (Leiserowitz 2010, 2011, Miller 2012). Moreover, improving society's climate and energy literacy should be a top priority addressed through science education and through a range of other education, communication, and outreach strategies.

To counter the scientific illiteracy standing in the way of meeting these urgent 21st-century challenges, a group of fifty leaders in the climate and energy community gathered in Berkeley, California, between December 7 and 9, 2012, to participate in the Climate and Energy Literacy Summit hosted by the National Center for Science Education. The attendees included climate, energy, education, technology, and research experts, curriculum developers, philanthropists, science journalists, representatives from climate- and energy-related non-profits and professional societies, federal and state agencies, and the National Academy of Sciences.

The goal of the Summit was to identify ways "to substantially and measurably improve climate and energy literacy to provide society and the next generation with the scientific foundation to take informed actions to minimize climate impacts and prepare for changes that are already well underway."

Participants agreed that many components already exist to forge a national climate and energy literacy initiative, but substantial challenges remain in terms of coordination, training and funding. Following are key recommendations of the Summit: