Civic Lab

READ BRAVE: CIVIC LAB

Civic Lab is an interactive exhibit that addresses issues impacting the community and engages citizens in conversations relevant to their communities. Learn about how our climate crisis is already impacting your community and take action. Visit your local branch to experience Civic Lab in person.

What climate change issues are you most concerned about in YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD and that you would like to see addressed?
- The risk of urban flooding during extreme rainfalls, resulting in property damage
- Improving access to public transit to reduce pollution and our transportation costs
- Poor air quality made worse during summer heat waves
- Ability to stay cool during heat waves and warm and safe during a power outage or flood
- Keeping home energy bills down and improving comfort and energy efficiency
- The lack of trees and green space to lessen the adverse impacts of climate change
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Home
Email Updates
No Wait E-Books
Discussion Guides
- Read Brave Booklists
Community Partner Guide
- Community Partner List (2020)
Events & Programs
Blog
Archive
- Read Brave 2019

CLIMATE QUIZ

Test your knowledge of our climate crisis. Sources include Saint Paul's Climate Action & Resilience Plan, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, and Climate Change Evidence and Causes, An overview from the Royal Society and the US National Academy of Sciences.

TAKE THE CLIMATE QUIZ

Civic Lab: Our Climate Crisis (Quiz)

How quickly would the climate return to normal if human releases of carbon dioxide stopped?
- 1,000 years
- 10 years
- 100 years
- Less than 1 year
When was the last time that carbon dioxide concentrations in the atmosphere were as high as they are now?
- 1,000 years ago during the Medieval Warm Period
- More than 800,000 years ago
- 300 years ago near the beginning of the Industrial Revolution
- 11,000 years ago at the end of the last Ice Age
What climate change impact is the City of Saint Paul already experiencing?
- An increase in annual precipitation
- An increase in the frequency of extreme rainfalls
- Warming winter temperatures, especially during winter nights
- All of the above
What sector is the largest contributor to the City of Saint Paul’s releases of the carbon dioxide?
- Garbage
- Water and wastewater
- Transportation
- Buildings
By when does the City of Saint Paul want to achieve carbon neutrality?
- 2080
- 2100
- 2050
- 2030
How do trees help reduce the impacts of climate change?
- Their branches and leaves reduce and slow runoff from heavy rainfalls.
- They shade rooftops, sidewalks, driveways and streets and so keep them from getting really hot on sunny summer days.
- They “evaporate large amounts of water from their leaves and thus help cool the air on hot summer days.
- All of the above
What is the urban heat island?
- A part of a city that is cooler than its surroundings because of a thicker snow cover.
- An area of a city that gets unusually hot because of a large amount of dark rooftops and roadways that are very effective at absorbing sunlight and converting it into heat.
- A part of a city that is much hotter than its surroundings because of a concentrations of factories and power plants.
- A part of a city that is cooler than its surroundings because of an abundance of lakes and ponds.
How can you help protect yourself and your neighborhood from urban flooding caused by extreme rainfalls?
- Adopt a corner catchment basin and keep it clear of debris so that it can drain water into underground storm sewers at maximum efficiency during extreme rains.
- Install and maintain rain gardens in your yards so that more rainfall soaks into the ground instead of running off into streets.
- All of the above
- Make sure that downspouts on houses and apartment buildings direct water away from building walls and foundations.
How does an excessive buildup of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere cause climate change?
- Carbon dioxide reflects sunlight back into space, cooling the Earth.
- Carbon dioxide forms clouds high in the atmosphere that insulate the planet like a blanket, making it warmer.
- Carbon dioxide absorbs heat energy emitted by the Earth’s surface and then radiates some of this heat energy back toward the ground.
- Carbon dioxide darkens the Earth’s atmosphere, causing it to absorb more sunlight.
What percentage of Saint Paul households have an energy burden defined as spending four percent or more of their income on energy?
- Around 25%
- Over 50%
- Nearly 40%
- Under 15%
Saint Paul’s commercial and industrial buildings are responsible for what percentage of the city’s total electricity consumption?
- 25%
- 75%
- 50%
- 33%
What percentage of RESIDENTIAL customers participate in Xcel Energy’s energy efficiency programs?
- 12%
- 48%
- 6%
- 24%
What percentage of COMMERCIAL customers participate in Xcel Energy’s energy efficiency programs?
- 25%
- 10%
- 33%
- 50%
Xcel Energy’s commitment to deliver carbon-free electricity to all of its customers by 2050 will on its own would achieve how much of a reduction in the carbon dioxide emissions of Saint Paul?
- 28%
- 42%
- 14%
- 56%
How many additional residents is the City of Saint Paul expecting by 2030
- 5,000
- 10,000
- 30,000
- 100,000
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TAKE ACTION

You know the climate crisis is devastating the planet. You want to know what we can do. What you can do. Here are some easy ways to take personal action.

10 THINGS YOU CAN DO

Vote and contact your local representatives! Vote for candidates who care about the environment. Ask candidates and elected officials questions about our climate crisis. What they are going to do to address our climate crisis? How do they plan to prepare citizens for the changing climate? Use the "Contact Your Representative" resource below.
Eat less meat and dairy. Shifting to a low-meat or plant-based diet is one of the biggest impact actions individuals can take. This could mean reducing the amount of meat you eat each month.
Reduce food waste. Food waste creates about 8% of global emissions. Discarded food in landfills decomposes and releases methane, a powerful greenhouse gas. In Ramsey County, 26% of waste is from food. Reduce your food waste by planning before you shop, right-sizing proportions, planning for leftovers, freezing food, composting, donating food, and checking food for freshness rather than use-by date.
Reduce waste. Using less is the best way to decrease the resources, landfill space, and energy associated with any product. Cut out single-use products like plastic bags, plastic utensils, and plastic water bottles. If possible, invest in a sturdy tote bag, reusable utensils, and a reusable water bottle. Other single-use items, like tools, can be borrowed or rented.
Eat local and in season. In the Midwest, most fresh fruits and vegetables have traveled 1,500 miles before arriving at your local grocery store. By purchasing locally grown food, you can reduce the impact of that transportation. Saint Paul has a strong Hmong farming community that has been a major force in the expansion of local food markets and small farms. Buying from farmers’ markets and participating in community-supported agriculture can help reduce the amount of produce purchased from the grocery store.
Reduce the effects of driving. The action with the greatest impact is to reduce the effects of driving. Living car-free can be challenging as current transit and mobility options don’t always fit commutes or daily transportation needs. Consider telecommuting one day a week if your job allows or consider alternative mobility options. From supporting new shared transportation options to improving bike and pedestrian facilities, there are more choices than ever to get around the city. Electric bikes and scooters are now a popular option and allow users to go farther in a shorter time. Getting out of your car offers physical and mental health benefits as well.
Look into green energy. While Xcel Energy is using more renewable energy, there is still a role for individuals to play in accelerating the green energy economy. Subscribe to a community solar garden or buy renewable energy credits through Xcel Energy’s WindSource® or Renewable*Connect programs. Accessing local clean energy can have benefits to residents and businesses by decreasing electricity bills and creating jobs in the community while also reducing emissions from power plants.
Are you a homeowner? If yes, consider home energy efficiency. Home energy efficiency will help reduce monthly bills, make your home more comfortable, and reduce emissions. Adding insulation to walls and sealing air leaks will improve the performance of both heating and cooling equipment. Replacing windows and doors will improve comfort and help reduce energy use but are often not the most cost-effective methods. Consider switching appliances that run on natural gas, like your oven range, water heater, or dryer to an electric alternative.
Are you a frequent flyer? If so, avoid one flight per year. Airplane travel is the greatest source of per-mile transportation emissions for air travelers. Business travel can be unavoidable, but companies and organizations are increasingly open to other communication platforms. Video conferencing through Zoom, Skype, Google, and other programs have become common alternatives to in-person meetings.
Learn more about our climate crisis! Check out the resources available below, read the selected Read Brave books, attend an upcoming Read Brave event, or stop by your local library and ask a library staff member for more information!

CONTACT YOUR REPRESENTATIVES

Saint Paul City Council
Ramsey County Commissioners
Find your State and U.S. representatives

RESOURCES

Learn more about our climate crisis with these interactive resources.

Civic Lab Resources

Get the latest Read Brave news.

EXPLORE

Browse the latest Read Brave 2020 content.

Read Brave 2020

Blog Post

Read Brave 2020 Live Blog

Follow along for the latest news about Cherie Dimaline's visit to Saint Paul.

Read Brave 2020

Meet the 2020 Read Brave Author, Cherie Dimaline

Join author Cherie Dimaline for two public events this week including a Q&A and book signing.

Read Brave 2020

Website

Read Brave: Documentary Series

Come to the library and screen brave films focusing on our climate crisis with a facilitated discussion afterward.

Read Brave 2020

Saint Paul Public Library on Twitter: "We had a great discussion…" | 2340968

Posted by Saint Paul Public Library

@stpaullibrary

We had a great discussion at Sun Ray Library's February book club featuring "The Marrow Thieves." Learn more about upcoming book clubs featuring more #ReadBrave titles: bit.ly/37LvbWJ.

Posted on 2:46 PM - 20 Feb 2020

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Article

How climate change, colonialism are spurring mass migration

In 2018, some 13.6 million people were uprooted from their homes, cumulatively adding to a record 70.8 million forcibly displaced.

Civic Lab
Read Brave 2020

Ann Griffin on Twitter: "Thanks @stpaullibrary for supporting…" | 2331232

Posted by Ann Griffin

@Ms_GriffinFirst

Thanks @stpaullibrary for supporting our first graders with #READBRAVE books. We learned so much about taking care of our environment, we created our own mural to showcase our learning @GlobalArtsPlus @SPPS_Science @MsManthe

Posted on 12:32 AM - 15 Feb 2020

Reply 3 retweet 8 likes

Vote for your favorite 2020 Read Brave Kids MIDDLE GRADE book

The End of the Wild by Nicole Helget

Hoot by Carl Hiaasen

Climate Migrants by Rebecca Hirsch

Never Say Die by Will Hobbs

Same Sun Here by Silas House and Neela Vaswani

Me and Marvin Gardens by Amy Sarig King

The Flooded Earth by Mardi McConnochie

Better Off Undead by James Preller

Bayou Magic by Jewell Parker Rhodes

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Vote for your favorite 2020 Read Brave Kids MIDDLE GRADE book

The End of the Wild by Nicole Helget

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Hoot by Carl Hiaasen

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Climate Migrants by Rebecca Hirsch

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Never Say Die by Will Hobbs

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Same Sun Here by Silas House and Neela Vaswani

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Me and Marvin Gardens by Amy Sarig King

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The Flooded Earth by Mardi McConnochie

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Better Off Undead by James Preller

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Bayou Magic by Jewell Parker Rhodes

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Learn more about the books!

Vote for your favorite 2020 Read Brave Kids PICTURE BOOK

The Digger and the Flower by Joseph Kuefler

All the Water in the World by George Lyon and Katherine Tillotson

Sea Bear: Journey for Survival by Lindsay Moore

The Earth Book by Todd Parr

Water is Water by Miranda Paul

Hey, Water! by Antoinette Portis

Life by Cynthia Rylant

Thank You, Earth by April Pulley Sayre

Additional Comments

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Vote for your favorite 2020 Read Brave Kids PICTURE BOOK

The Digger and the Flower by Joseph Kuefler

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All the Water in the World by George Lyon and Katherine Tillotson

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Sea Bear: Journey for Survival by Lindsay Moore

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The Earth Book by Todd Parr

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Water is Water by Miranda Paul

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Hey, Water! by Antoinette Portis

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Life by Cynthia Rylant

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Thank You, Earth by April Pulley Sayre

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Learn more about the picture books!

Vote for your favorite 2020 Read Brave Kids EARLY GRADE book

Buried Sunlight by Molly Bang and Penny Chisholm

Merhorses and Bubbles by Asia Citro

What is Climate Change by Gail Herman

Mama Miti by Donna Jo Napoli

Spring After Spring by Stephanie Roth Sisson

If Polar Bears Disappeared by Lily Williams

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Vote for your favorite 2020 Read Brave Kids EARLY GRADE book

Buried Sunlight by Molly Bang and Penny Chisholm

0
Merhorses and Bubbles by Asia Citro

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What is Climate Change by Gail Herman

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Mama Miti by Donna Jo Napoli

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Spring After Spring by Stephanie Roth Sisson

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If Polar Bears Disappeared by Lily Williams

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Learn more about the books

Eric Holthaus on Twitter: "So excited to work with the @stpaullibrary…" | 2297840

Posted by Eric Holthaus

@EricHolthaus

So excited to work with the @stpaullibrary to help organise community-level conversations about this necessary moment we have to transform and protect the one planet we all share.

Posted on 12:54 AM - 29 Jan 2020

Reply 2 retweet 15 likes

McKnight Foundation on Twitter: "Thanks to @thefriends for sharing…" | 2293728

Posted by McKnight Foundation

@McKnightFdn

Thanks to @thefriends for sharing copies of @stpaullibrary’s #ReadBrave #OurClimateCrisis books with us! Our staff is excited to dive into these stories and join the @cityofsaintpaul and its residents in working toward #ClimateSolutions!