Last spring, NSIDC Deputy Lead Scientist Twila Moon expanded her role at CIRES as the institute's first-ever climate communications engagement lead.�� combines her scientific expertise with her communications skills to create a new program: Engage Climate Science.

The program, still in development, sits within CIRES’�� (CEEE). Moon’s role with the program will develop and run seminars and workshops around the U.S. to teach the foundations of climate science along with a broad scope of climate solutions to private-sector professionals in decision-making spaces. The program will focus on leaders in positions that have the ability to create change and who rely on knowledge about current and future climate to make successful decisions in their work.

“With climate impacts already influencing everything from working conditions to supply chains to roads and buildings, the need for fundamental climate understanding has never been greater,” Moon said. “We are in a critical time for planning and action, and this program will address that need.”��

Moon has spent years building her portfolio in climate communications and was recently awarded the American Geophysical Union’s (AGU)��. One example of her communications work is with the European organization��, where she leads workshops in Greenland. She leads participants on four- and five-day immersive expeditions to Greenland to teach the foundations of climate science, solutions and strategies for change. The expeditions connect participants firsthand with the island's unique ecosystem—80% of which is covered in ice that is melting quicker than ever. Moon said this work solidified the need for expert-led climate science education.��

“I found that there was a huge appetite for this, and I got requests over and over again to do more and expand this kind of engagement,” Moon said.

By teaching foundational climate science, participants learn to ask the right questions and understand system connections relating to how the climate is changing. Moon uses several tools to help explore the myriad of solutions and how they complement each other, like the�� and other resources like the��, which evaluates the effectiveness of various solutions. Moon says there is no one solution for climate change but believes the best solutions address emissions reductions and preparedness and resilience together.

During her first few months building the new program, Moon has worked with CEEE researchers to flesh out an evaluation strategy, held eight events in Texas, and worked toward completing initial program offers and resources. Moon notes that it can be difficult to measure the outcomes and successes of different engagements, so she is excited that CEEE’s team will support the evaluation of the seminars and workshops, helping her track progress, collect and organize feedback, and make improvements to her approach as needed.��

“Engage Climate Science is a powerful opportunity to expand CEEE’s vision��of connecting environmental science and people to inspire curiosity, community and action, now reaching the private sector,” Gold said. “Twila’s exceptional ability to communicate and share her deep climate science expertise will equip decision-makers and business leaders with the knowledge they need to drive meaningful, science-based impact.”

Moon has worked with CIRES for nearly a decade, first as a visiting fellow then as a research scientist at the��. She sits on the National Academies’ U.S. Polar Research Board, is a principal investigator for the�� and an editor of�� Moon will continue to pursue research at NSIDC, as she believes it’s integral to remaining a trusted source in the scientific community in her new role.

“Communicating climate knowledge as an active scientist allows me to draw from an especially rich well of information,” Moon said. “Folks I’m engaging with can have high confidence in the information quality and know that it will include the latest research results.”��

Moon hopes other organizations and institutions realize the critical need for this type of climate communication at this pivotal moment. Engage Climate Science is made possible through generous support from a private donor and the��. Donations are welcome to support the program now and in the future through ̽����Ƶ. She looks forward to announcing the formal launch of the program in the near future.��