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Chapter 6 Climate education for the public

thereby strengthening practical implementation capabilities.
(1) The Pivotal Role of Real-World Cases in Climate Science Knowledge Dissemi-
nation
1.Case Study on Coastal Areas Affected by Rising Sea Levels
Taking the Maldives, a typical island nation, as an example, under the global climate
change context, it is facing severe threats from rising sea levels. Global warming has accel-
erated glacier melting, injecting massive amounts of meltwater into oceans, while seawater
undergoes thermal expansion due to temperature increases. These two factors combine to
drive continuous sea level rise. Composed of numerous coral reef islands with extremely low
elevations averaging just 1.5 meters above sea level, the Maldives sees many islands con-
fronting gradual inundation. Through displaying on-site photos and video footage, the public
can clearly observe: seawater has chronically eroded house walls on some islands, causing
severe structural damage and foundation loosening; original beaches for living and activities
have been swallowed by seawater with significantly reduced areas; some residents have been
forced to abandon their homes and relocate to higher-altitude areas or other countries.
When presenting this case to the public, it is essential not only to demonstrate these
observable phenomena but also to provide in-depth explanations of the underlying scientif-
ic principles. Scientists have accurately determined sea level rise trends through long-term
satellite monitoring, on-site ocean measurements, and complex climate model simulations.
Research indicates that over the past century, the global average sea level has risen approxi-
mately 15-25 centimeters, with this rate accelerating in recent years. The impacts of sea level
rise on global coastal areas are extensive. Ecologically, coastal wetlands serving as habitats
for numerous rare species face freshwater environment destruction due to saltwater intru-
sion, endangering freshwater-dependent organisms and severely threatening biodiversity.
Economically, critical trade hubs like ports experience intensified erosion of infrastructure
such as docks and breakwaters, leading to surging maintenance costs. Reduced navigational
capacity and cargo handling efficiency further impair regional trade and economic growth.
For human settlements, infrastructure in low-lying coastal areas including houses and roads
risks inundation, directly threatening residents’ lives and property. Such cases, with their viv-
id real-world impacts, effectively capture public attention, stimulate deeper contemplation
of climate change issues, and motivate people to proactively explore comprehensive climate
science knowledge regarding causes, global impacts, and mitigation strategies.
2.Urban FogHazeWeather Case
In many cities, fogHazeweather events have become a significant environmental issue
affecting residents’ lives and urban development, as well as a highly representative case in
climate science knowledge dissemination. FogHazeformation results from the complex inter-
play of multiple factors. From the perspective of pollution sources, industrial exhaust emis-
sions constitute one major contributor. Various industrial enterprises, such as thermal power
plants, steel smelters, and chemical manufacturers, release large quantities of pollutants

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