Artists for the Earth

Climate Change Education Act Introduced to Promote Climate Literacy

Date: 4/25/18 By: Tracey Ritchie Great news: the Climate Change Education Act was reintroduced. We enthusiastically endorse the legislation proposed by Senator Edward Markey, Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter, and Congresswoman Debbie Dingell, which would help us work together to protect our planet and educate the next generation of environmental leaders. (And it goes without saying we are also thrilled they chose to use the platform of Earth Day to make their announcement!) Education has been at the forefront of our work since the very first Earth Day in 1970. Teach-Ins were the main component of that world-changing event and we have continued to make sure that education is a core part of our mission, with all of our programs striving to increase climate and environmental literacy worldwide. (Check out the resources we recently created for Climate Education week — the lessons are good year-round.) We believe the reintroduction of this Act will be extremely beneficial to U.S. students as we try to formalize climate change education in our K-12 education system and provide consistent opportunities to learn about the environment and human impacts to climate. Having the program within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) will ensure access to the latest science. Also encouraging: the commitment to support green economy-related fields in higher education, so we can act on climate while also supporting the economy. Please join us in supporting the Climate Change Education Act! Contact your Senator(s) and Congressional representatives.