Photo by Humberto Portillo on Unsplash.
A group of California legislators plans to "introduce legislation to integrate climate change into the state's education system," according to the Sacramento Bee (December 1, 2021).
Luz Rivas (D-District 39) was quoted as saying, "This legislation will cultivate a new generation of climate policy leaders in California as we educate, help prepare, and give our next generation the tools to shape their futures in the wake of our current climate crisis, adding, "[W]e must educate our future generations on how to create a sustainable future."
In 2020, as NCSE previously reported, Rivas introduced Assembly Bill 1922, which would have amended California's adopted course of study for science to include "coursework including material on the causes and effects of climate change" from grades 1 to 12. Additionally, at least one of the two courses required for graduation from high school would have had to include such material. The bill died in committee.
Rivas was the sole sponsor of AB 1922, but five colleagues in the Assembly — Lisa Calderon (D-District 57), Chris Ward (D-District 78), Tasha Boerner-Horvath (D-District 76), Eduardo Garcia, (D-District 56), and Isaac Bryan (D-District 54) — as well as Dave Cortese (D-District 15) in the Senate will reportedly be joining her in supporting the planned legislation.
The text of the planned legislation is not yet provided on the state legislature's website. The legislature will convene on January 3, 2022.
