A bill that would require public schools in California to teach about climate change is moving through the state legislature.
The bill, AB 323, would require all public schools in California to teach about the science of climate change, its impacts, and what individuals and society can do to address the issue.
The bill is sponsored by Assemblymember Monique Limón, a Democrat who represents the 26th Assembly District in Santa Barbara.
"Climate change is the most urgent threat facing our planet, and it's important that our students learn about it and are empowered to take action," Limón said in a statement. "I'm proud to author AB 323 to ensure that all California public schools are teaching about climate change."
The bill has been endorsed by a number of environmental organizations, including the Sierra Club, the Natural Resources Defense Council, and the California League of Conservation Voters.
"We applaud Assemblymember Monique Limón for introducing this important bill that would ensure all California public schools are teaching about climate change," said Wendy Wendlandt, Clean Energy Advocate for the Sierra Club California. "With so much misinformation out there, the best way to empower students to be part of the solution is to ensure that they have accurate and complete information. This bill will also encourage students to consider the interconnectedness of issues like environmental and climate justice, which are critical for advancing positive change in their own communities and around the world."
If the bill is passed by the legislature and signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom, it will go into effect in the 2023-24 school year.
California would be the first state in the nation to require all public schools to teach about climate change.
