Climate Action Lab

Introduction

Moving your library towards climate action is a critical step for your library’s sustainability and your library’s reputation as a community leader. This is a large topic that has three areas of focus: reducing greenhouse gas emissions (climate change mitigation); helping communities adapt in the face of the predicted impacts of climate change (climate change adaptation); and recognizing that those least responsible for causing climate change are disproportionately effected by the impacts of climate change (climate justice). These resources are designed to help you take a methodical approach to creating a climate action plan that works for your library and your community.

Getting Started:

National Climate Action Strategy for Libraries
National Climate Action Strategy Implementation Guide
Climate Action Planning (Part 1): An Introduction (SLI-WebJunction)
Climate Action Planning (Part 2): Disaster Preparedness and Community Resilience (SLI-WebJunction)
Climate Action Plan Template (doc)

Resources for Making the Case for Climate Action in Libraries:

Sustainability in Libraries: A Call to Action (ALA)
Exemplars, Educators, Enablers: Libraries and Sustainability (International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA)
The Fifth National Climate Assessment (U.S. Global Change Research Program)
Yale Climate Opinion Maps (Yale Program on Climate Change Communication)
How A Health Narrative Can Enhance Communication of Six Key Truths About Climate Change With Diverse Audiences by John E. Kotcher
Public Libraries are Critical Agencies in Multi-Sector Climate Action Plans, Policies, and Actions by Rebekkah Smith Aldrich

Climate Change Mitigation in Libraries

Step 1: Assessing your Library’s Carbon Footprint
- Scope 1 and Scope 2 Inventory Guidance (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency)
- CO₂ Emissions Calculator and Emissions Equivalents (SLI)
Step 2: Identify Solutions for Reducing your Library’s Carbon Footprint
- Facilities
  - Sustainable Facilities Tool (General Services Administration)
    - Building Decarbonization
  - Championing Net-Zero Energy for your Library (ALA eCourse) ($)
  - Net-Zero Energy Libraries
    - Charleston Library, New York Public Library (NY)
    - Chrisney Branch Library, Lincoln Heritage Public Library (IN)
    - Medford Public Library (MA)
    - Salt Lake County Library at Daybreak (UT)
    - Stevens Library (Sacred Heart Schools)
    - Charles L. Tutt Library (Colorado College)
    - West Berkley Public Library (CA)
  - Introduction to Renewable Energy (Stanford University)
  - Making the Case for Renewable Energy (SLI)
- Transportation
  - Making the Case for Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Stations (SLI)
- Materials Management (i.e. Waste Reduction)
  - The Zero Waste Hierarchy (Zero Waste International Alliance)
  - Waste Reduction Model (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency)
  - Library Sustainable Swag Self-Evaluation (ALA Sustainability Round Table)
Step 3: Creating a Plan & Policies
- Climate Action Plan Template (doc)
- Sample Policies (SLI)
- Example: Sustainability Plan (Concord Free Public Library, MA)

Climate Adaptation through Libraries

Step 1: Identify the Top Climate Hazards in Your Region
- The National Risk Index (FEMA)
- Is your community exposed to climate hazards? (NOAA)
- The Climate Explorer (part of the U.S. Climate Resilience Toolkit)
- Climate Mapping for Resilience and Adaptation (U.S. Global Change Research Program)
- Neighborhoods at Risk (Headwaters Economics)
Step 2: Investigate Options to Prepare in the Face of the Top Climate Hazards Identified
- Investigate Options Introduction (U.S. Climate Resilience Toolkit)
- Case Studies (U.S. Climate Resilience Toolkit)
- Ready.gov
- Libraries and Wildfire Preparedness Panel Discussion (U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS)-NorthNet Library System)
- Hurricane/Tropical Storm Emergency Management (Texas State Library and Archives Commission)
- U.S. State Climate Adaptation Plans (Center for Climate and Energy Solutions)
Step 3: Develop Your Library’s Plan & Programs
- Librarian’s Disaster Planning and Community Resilience Guidebook and Workbook (New Jersey State Library)
- Climate Resilience Hubs (Communities Responding to Extreme Weather)
- Living Building Challenge (International Living Future Institute)
- ALA Resilient Communities Programming Guide (ALA)
- For Long Island Libraries: Resilience Resource Hub (Long Island Sound)

Climate Justice through Libraries

An Introduction to Climate Justice (SLI-WebJunction)
The Six Pillars of Climate Justice (Center for Climate Justice, University of California)
Climate Equity (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency)
Just Transition Framework (Movement Generation)
Libraries in the Doughnut Economy by Monika Antonelli, Rene Tanner, Rebekkah Smith Aldrich, and Adrian K. Ho
Social Cohesion Means Survival by Rebekkah Smith Aldrich (Library Journal)
Living Our Values Out Loud: Programs that Walk the Talk (SLI-WebJunction)
Sustainable Thinking: Ensuring Your Library’s Future in an Uncertain World by Rebekkah Smith Aldrich
Campus Climate Justice Toolkit (College Educated)
Program Idea Bank (SLI)