Earth Day Network Applauds Climate Education and Literacy Initiative Announcement by the White House Office of Science & Technology Policy

PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 3, 2014 Contact: Kate McGloon, VP Communications, [email protected], 202-518-0044

Earth Day Network Applauds Climate Education and Literacy Initiative Announcement by the White House Office of Science & Technology Policy

Today, the White House Office of Science & Technology Policy announced that it is launching a Climate Education and Literacy Initiative to help connect students and citizens with the best-available, science based information about climate change. “Environmental education and climate literacy are critical to building a diverse and powerful movement to address climate change and to accelerating a vibrant green economy globally,” said Kathleen Rogers, President of Earth Day Network (EDN).  “EDN is a leading force in strengthening environmental and civic education, especially climate literacy, of students in the U.S. and abroad and we applaud the Administration’s much needed Climate Education and Literacy Initiative.” Earth Day 2015 – the year of the 45^th anniversary of the Earth Day movement- is poised to mobilize billions around the world to halt climate change, one of the greatest threats facing our planet.  During Earth Week of April 18^th – 25^th, Earth Day participants and partners around the globe will be called to act through EDN’s “It’s Our Turn to Lead” initiative.  With a focus on climate education, EDN and its partners will work with their 100,000 K-12 Earth Day coordinators at schools across the country to provide climate-science-based curricula, posters, and other products to engage students and educators. EDN will also collaborate with the World Bank’s Connect4Climate program to facilitate the extension of this work to other countries around the world. Continued Rogers, “EDN looks forward to playing a vital role in advancing environmental education and climate literacy.  We are committed to producing the next generation of world citizens who will help protect our Earth and stop the ravages of climate change.” What is Earth Day Network? Founded by the organizers of Earth Day 1970, Earth Day Network (EDN) promotes year-round environmental citizenship and action worldwide. EDN’s mission is to broaden and diversify the environmental movement worldwide, and to mobilize it as the most effective vehicle for promoting a healthy, sustainable environment through a combination of education, public policy and activism campaigns. EDN’s international network reaches over 22,000 organizations in 192 countries, while the domestic program assists over 30,000 educators, coordinating thousands of community development and environmental protection activities through the year. And every Earth Day season, EDN provides information, thematic guidance, content, logo sharing, event coordination, speakers, and fellowship funding – connecting people all across the planet in the world’s largest simultaneous civic event.  For additional information and highlights on Earth Day and Earth Day Network’s programs, please visit our website at archiveedn.wpengine.com.