Roschetzky Photography/Shutterstock: We are polluting our planet and causing Global Warming
A critical step in battling global warming—New Jersey became the first state in the United States to include climate change studies in the schools’ curriculum.
Former Vice-President, Mr. Al Gore, emphasized the importance of having a well-educated society of pupils on climate change as they will go on to become future leaders. Spreading education about the increasingly worrying topic motivates people to talk about it and volunteer solutions on a micro and macro level.
How Will It Be Implemented?
Syda Productions/Shutterstock: Planning to educate pupils about climate change from a young age
The First Lady of New Jersey, Tammy Murphy, made a remarkable announcement with the New Jersey Education Board. It is decided that mandatory classes on climate change will soon commence for kindergarten to high school students.
The state has seen its fair share of the effects of an environmental crisis with devastating storms, shrinking shorelines, and harmful blooms of algae—the step was overdue.
It has been planned that the lessons will be integrated into different topics, namely Visual and Performing Arts, Social Studies, Technology, 21st Century Life and Careers, Comprehensive Health and Physical Education, World Languages, and Science.
Perceiving it as the need of the hour, she said that the new addition should not be viewed as another ‘burden.’ Decades spent ignoring nature have now morphed into a full-blown crisis, and this step will establish a partnership between current and future generations.
With the situation worsening each year, we must provide resources to our kids to educate themselves and observe the global emergency.
Goals Towards a Sustainable Future
nicostock/Shutterstock: Future of climate change is in our hands
Governor Phil Murphy also stated his objective of making the state a global leader in fighting climate change. He has actively worked towards the goal ever since attaining the position.
As the state persistently features in the country’s top-ranking public education systems, Mr. Murphy wants to propel it further by using 100% clean energy sources by 2050. He also hopes that this change will act as a catalyst in creating further jobs for teachers and a knowledge pool to make Earth greener.
The announcement has been lauded by the citizens and previous leaders, alike. According to a survey, 55% of the teachers stated that they did not cover climate change-related topics in any way, despite believing that it is important to be taught. More than 80% of the parents also echoed the same sentiment.
Although New Jersey is the first official state to take the leap in such a monumental way, Washington is not far behind. In 2017, the state passed a budget proviso that created ClimeTime. It funds events and projects that connect public schools’ tutors with environmental-oriented organizations.