The Climate Consensus
Educational Video Contest

Teaching About Climate Feedback Loops In 3 Minutes or Less

The goal of this contest is to encourage students to clearly, concisely, and creatively explain the interconnectedness of Earth’s climate at a level suitable for an average high school student. By participating you will help spread the knowledge of these important processes and develop the skills to better communicate about climate science in your community.

theme: climate feedbacks

Climate changes are not uniform across the globe, and they often do not scale linearly with increased greenhouse gas emissions. One such reason for this is processes that are known as “climate feedback loops”. Climate feedback loops are processes that can either amplify or diminish the effects of climate change. Positive feedback loops amplify an initial change, while negative feedback loops diminish an initial change. Note that “positive” and “negative” have no relation to whether the feedback has a warming or cooling effect. Understanding these feedbacks is crucial for predicting and managing climate change.

CONTEST RULES

Your Video Should:

  1. Identify and focus on one feedback loop in the climate system (relationships to other climate system feedbacks or process are allowed and encouraged, but there should be a clear focus on one feedback)

  2. State whether the feedback is positive or negative

  3. Conceptually describe the process that drives the feedback loop

  4. Address the relative magnitude of the feedback process (e.g. How much is this feedback loop affecting current climate change? Will this change in the future? Is there uncertainty regarding the magnitude of impact from this feedback?)

Examples of feedback loops: 

  • Ice-albedo feedback (positive)

  • Permafrost thaw feedback (positive)

  • Cloud reflectivity feedback (negative)

  • Water vapor feedback (positive)

  • Blackbody radiation feedback (negative)

Feel free to choose one of the above or another feedback loop of your choice.

Eligibility:

  1. Open to adult participants over the age of 18 and enrolled at a collegiate institute.

  2. Entries may be submitted individually or as a team with identified team members and a team leader.

  3. Video submissions must be submitted along with this registration/licensing form before the contest deadline.

PLEASE NOTE: By signing the registration/licensing form, you consent to the Climate Consensus sharing your submission on all Climate Consensus communication channels (including but not limited to our website, social media accounts etc.). You will always be given credit as the creator for any use of the video and maintain the right to have the video taken down at your written request.

Video Requirements :

  1. Videos must not exceed 3 minutes in length (including title and credits).

  2. Videos can be in any style (live-action, animation, stop-motion) but must adhere to the following:

    • Be original and created by the participant(s).

    • Avoid copyrighted content (e.g., music, images, or footage) unless properly licensed or in the public domain.

  3. Videos must be in the English language.

Submission Guidelines:

  1. Submit entries by completing this Submission Form by 11:59 PM EDT October 31, 2025. 

  2. Videos must be in MP4 format with a resolution of at least 720p. Landscape (horizontal) videos are preferred.

  3. Along with the video, participants must submit in the Submission Form the following:

    • A brief description of the topic

    • If referencing a specific figure, data source, or quoting an individual or organization, citations must be provided in the submission form and in the video.

    • Name of all team members and their roles.

Disqualifications:

  1. Submissions that exceed the time limit, are not in an .mp4 file format, or do not meet the content guidelines.

  2. Plagiarism or use of unlicensed materials.

  3. Videos that include offensive, inappropriate or discriminatory content.

  4. Grossly inaccurate information that is not in consensus with modern science. 

Judging Criteria

Each video will be reviewed by a panel of expert judges based on the following criteria:

1. Scientific Accuracy (40%)

  • Does the video correctly present scientific concepts or information?

  • Is the information well-researched and up-to-date?

2. Engagement, Clarity and Communication (40%)

  • Does the video capture and hold the viewer's attention?

  • Is the content engaging for a general audience at the highschool level?

  • Are the concepts clearly explained in an accessible manner?

  • Is the language appropriate for the target audience?

3. Creativity, Originality and Production Quality (20%)

  • Is the topic presented in a unique and creative manner?

  • Does the video demonstrate original thinking or a unique approach?

  • Is the video well-produced in terms of visuals, audio, and editing?

  • Is the video free from technical issues (e.g., shaky footage, poor sound quality)?

Prizes

Prizes will be awarded to submissions based on judges feedback. The following categories will be considered:

  • Best Overall - $100 + Digital Award Certificate

This award will be given to the submission that best demonstrates the core mission of the Climate Consensus to promote dialogue about climate change in a scientifically accurate, engaging, and creative manner.

  • Most Creative - $50 + Digital Award Certificate

This award will be given to the submission that demonstrates the most original, unique, or creative scientific approach, production, audiovisuals, or editing.

  • Most Engaging - $50 + Digital Award Certificate

This award will be given to the submission that best communicates accurate and relevant scientific information to a high school audience in a fun and engaging manner.

Announcement of Winners

Winners will be announced on Friday, November 21st, 2025 via website, social media and email to participants.