The State of Climate Change Education in the United States
The first step of progress is always awareness, and building that awareness and empathy for our planet from a young age can be transformative for our future.
According to a study that surveyed 10,000 people aged 16-25, more than half (59%) reported being very or extremely worried about climate change.
This sentiment reflects the severity of climate anxiety amongst youth when they are not equipped with the knowledge to take action. Right now, only two states in the United States, New Jersey, and Connecticut, require climate change to be taught in public school classrooms.
New Jersey made history in 2020 when it became the first state to mandate the teaching of climate change in all subjects beginning in kindergarten. Connecticut followed suit, passing a law that required public school science classes to teach about anthropogenic climate change.
A handful of states, such as California, New York, and Oregon, have taken similar measures to a lesser extent. California has included climate change topics within its science standards, aiming to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of environmental issues. Similarly, New York has updated its educational standards to include climate change.
Young people recognize that climate change is going to change their future. States undermining climate education are failing to prepare the next generation. The first step of progress is always awareness, and building that awareness and empathy for our planet from a young age can be transformative for our future.
Credit: Yale Program on Climate Change Communication