What is it?

The Climate Resource Network (CRN) is an online tool created to help audiences easily access, contribute to, and use information that exists around climate action in the region. The Climate Resource Network has been pre-populated with several relevant resources, including:

  • Interactive maps
  • Scientific reports
  • Climate resilience toolkits
  • Model policies
  • Organization directories

The goal of the CRN is to provide a shared space for anyone interested in gaining valuable information pertaining to climate science, policy, and action in the Midwest region. 

Who is it for?

One of the key foundational goals guiding the development of the CRN is resource accessibility across sectors to leverage collective knowledge. The MCC strives to facilitate the sharing of knowledge between a wide range of users, such as:

  • practitioners
  • researchers
  • policymakers
  • educators
  • students
  • grassroot activists

How is it used?

All resources shared on the CRN are sorted by:

issue, state, and organization.

The website makes it easy to find high-quality specifics based on your area of interest. 

How do I contribute a resource?

The CRN was build upon an active community of engaged partners, and will continue to grow as resources are added and climate science and action evolves. The Climate Resource Network was created to foster engagement, participation, and collaboration among its users. To ensure that the contribution process aids in encouraging this participation, adding a resource to the CRN is simple:

  1. Open the Climate Resource Network website. 
  2. On the left side of the screen, find the + Add Resource” tab.
  3. Enter your name and email in the corresponding boxes. 
  4. In the “Comment” section, please provide (1) a link to your resource, (2) the date of publication, (3) owner of the source, and (4) a brief synopsis of the content.
  5. Submit!

Resources that are relevant to the Midwest and pertain to climate change, mitigation, adaptation, resilience, and justice will be reviewed for inclusion. The CRN will continue to expand with relevant resources as users contribute new additions to the site.

Click the button below to visit the official CRN website.


Background

Across the Midwest, individuals and organizations are continuously working on policy, action, education, and research to understand the regionally specific impact and mitigation opportunities related to the ongoing climate crisis. While the impact of climate change is as critical in the Midwest forests, watersheds, and cities as it is in areas prone to sea level rise, hurricanes, and forest fires, the expertise and examples most relevant to this region is often more difficult to find.

The Climate Resource Network (CRN) was developed in response to the lack of a shared space for climate action knowledge across multiple sectors. The development of this tool aligns with MCC’s mission to develop a coherent Midwestern response to the climate crisis, specifically supporting covening of knowledge and leaders across sectors. This tool was designed with input from a needs assessment funded by the Midwest Big Data Innovation Hub (MBDH). We’d like to thank everyone who participated in the survey and John MacMullen and Armgard Haken of the MBDH for making this project possible.

Acknowledgments

This project was made possible by the Midwest
Big Data Innovation Hub
and the Climate Asset
Map Working Group
of the Midwest Climate
Collaborative. MCC would like to thank the following
individuals who contributed their time and
expertise to launching this important resource for
our Midwest region:


David Fike, Washington University
Alexandra Haddad, University of Michigan
Kevin Hahn, Washington University
Rowan Goldman, Northland College
Clinton Little, Minnesota Department of Natural
Resources
Zachary Miller, MOST Policy Initiative
Matt Noone, Capital Area Regional Planning
Commission
Daniel Poynter, Carbon Neutral Indiana
Meghan Salmon-Tumas, Northland College