Background
CRETF analyzed climate education policy in New York and across the country over several years.
To best reflect our vision of a comprehensive statewide climate education program, CRETF decided to draft a new bill.
An intergenerational CRETF committee made up of high school students and education professionals drafted a bill alongside Senator Andrew Gounardes and his legislative team. It was introduced as S278A/A1559A by Gounardes in the Senate and JoAnne Simon in the Assembly in November 2023.
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Legislation Summary
S278A/A1559A Establishes a course of instruction and learning expectations on climate education
— in all public elementary and secondary schools which shall include various principles and concepts including environmental justice.
Why Action is needed
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Rapidly Increasing Temperatures
In January 2024, NASA and NOAA confirmed that 2023 was Earth’s hottest year ever recorded, breaking numerous temperature records.
In New York, climate change is already producing an impact on natural systems, society and the state’s economy.
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Climate Change Impacts
Extreme weather events are increasing in frequency and intensity, coastal and inland flooding is occurring more often, and the agricultural growing season is fluctuating.
Climate disasters cost the Northeast over $81 billion from 1980-2023.
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Lack of Climate Education
CRETF survey data and qualitative research confirm that students in New York receive limited climate instruction each school year, even though 81% of New Yorkers across the state agree that students should learn about the causes, consequences, and potential solutions to the crisis.
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Action Required
In order for New York to achieve its ambitions for 100% zero-emission electricity by 2040, as outlined in the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA), robust P-12 climate education curricula, professional learning opportunities for teachers, and green Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs are required.
Increasing access to climate education in New York is a matter of both generational and racial justice.
35%
Of census tracts in New York State qualify as Disadvantaged Communities (DACs)
44%
New York City has the highest number of Disadvantaged Communities (DACs)
Climate education is a key climate solution.
New York has an obligation to ensure that its youngest and most vulnerable citizens gain the critical knowledge and skills they need to mitigate climate impacts and advocate for change in their communities.
Students spend a significant portion of their lives in school – school is a place for young people to build community, inquire into new realities, and consider how to address real-world problems. In order to develop the transformative capacities required for a green transition, climate change can no longer be the “elephant in the classroom.”
Bill S278A/A1559A
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Senator Andrew Gounardes
S278A
About the Bill
Senator Andrew Gounardes' climate education bill was reintroduced as S278A. The bill was adapted by CRETF from the Senator's pervious bill, S278.
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Assemblywoman JoAnne Simon
A1559A
About the Bill
Introduced as a companion Assembly bill, A1559A.
Supported by
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United University Professions (42,000 members)
New York State Public Health Association (600 members)
Jeffrey Shaman, PhD, Interim Dean, Columbia Climate School
New York Geothermal Energy Organization (NY-GEO)
Communities for Local Power (393,000 members)
NY Renews Coalition (representing 400 organizations and more than 200,000 New Yorkers)
ALIGN
Climate Mental Health Network
The Wild Center (93,000)
Sierra Club Atlantic Chapter (50,000 NYS wide)
350NYC
March for Science NYC
Sunrise Movement NYC
Fridays for Future New York City
EarthDay.org (millions of members)
National Wildlife Federation (6 million members nationally, 100,000 New Yorkers)
Environmental Advocates of New York
WE ACT for Environmental Justice
EcoRise (100,000)
Action for the Climate Emergency
Environmental Education Exchange (100,000+)
New Yorkers for Clean Power
The Climate Museum
Solar One (representing 65 staff members, serving 5,000 students and 200+ teachers)
Take Action Global (4 million members)
The Climate Reality Project, New York State Coalition (10,000 members)
NY Sun Works (120,000 members)
Coney Island Beautification Project (50,000 members)
ClimateMama (30,000 members)
National Center for Science Education (25,000 members)
Climate Generation (10,000 members)
Children's Environmental Literacy Foundation
Schools for Climate Action (10,000+ engaged)
Network for a Sustainable Tomorrow (Rep. Broome, Tioga, Chenango and Delaware Counties)
The Paleontological Research Institution (1,100 members)
North American Climate, Conservation and Environment (NACCE)
Hudson River Sloop Clearwater (6,000 members)
NESTm EJC (school) (500)
Clean Air Coalition of Westchester (200 members)
Rivers & Mountains Green Faith Circle (150+ members)
The Peace Education Center (100+ members)
Subject to Climate
Kwauk & Associates
Third Act NYC (400+)
City Atlas
Yorktown 100 (100 members)
Gaia Scholastic
Globe From Home (50)
Rootprint Games, LLC
The Living City Project
Transformative Educational Leadership (200)
Start:Empowerment
Brooklyn SolarWorks
Richard Scheutzow, Roman Catholic Diocese of Syracuse
Seneca Nation Emergency Management
Thomas J. Hearity & Associates, LLC
Tompkins County Climate Protection Initiative (220)
Federated Conservationists of Westchester County (2,000)
Broadway Green Alliance
Transition Town Port Washington (500)
Climate Film Festival NYC (500)
Sixth Street Community Center (2,000+)
Cafeteria Culture
National Clean Water Collective
WNY Youth Climate Council
Mothers Out Front Tompkins
Green Ossining
Key Components of
Climate Education Policy
The Task Force believes that the key components of a comprehensive climate education bill include:
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Funding
A clear and bold funding mechanism
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Resources
Resources for teacher learning/Professional Development
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Curriculum
Comprehensive curriculum, with clear recommendations for climate change education at every grade level and subject area
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Measuring Strategies
Clear strategies for measuring accountability and implementation
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Distribution
Equitable distribution of any resources, funding, and educator/student support outlined in policy
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Clarity
Includes clear definitions of environmental justice and climate justice
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Buy-in
Has buy-in from the key levers of power within the NYS education landscape, including the Board of Regents
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Involvement
Involves all members of school communities (administration, teachers, workers, students, parents, custodial staff, etc.)
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Acknowledgement
Acknowledges important role that NGOs and informal educators play in supporting K-12 teachers and students
The education supported by the policy should be:
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Interdisciplinary
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Aligned to existing learning standards
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Centered around justice
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Highlight youth leadership
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Place-based
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Integrate systems-thinking
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Project-based
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Culturally responsive
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Highlight a connection to nature
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Includes a civic engagement and action approach
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Solutions oriented
(individual & systemic)
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Supports New York’s green jobs pipeline
Either through CTE or other programming/curricular support and real-world exposure
Get Involved
Get Involved
HELP PASS S278A / A1559A
The CRETF Toolkit for Action
Learn how you can support the passage of S278A/A1559A. Once it has been signed by multiple organizations and individuals, it will be delivered to all officials with decision-making authority over the bill’s passage.
