Why Climate Literacy Matters
The effects of climate change are already here. Today’s high school students will live through the next 60-80 years of its unfolding impacts. A climate-literate generation is critical to addressing these challenges and creating a more sustainable world.
Did you know?
That if 16% of high school students in the US were climate literate, it would result in a reduction of 10 gigatons of carbon emissions by 2050. That is equivalent to taking all the cars off the roads in California during the same time period.
This makes climate education one of the most effective tools in fighting climate change, even more impactful than some technological solutions.
CLIMATE LITERACY is alarmingly low in US High School Students
And school districts and teachers aren’t in a position to change the current trajectory.
Did you know?
4 in 5 high school students say they don’t understand the causes, impacts or solutions to climate change.
80% of teachers say they should teach students about climate, but they spend on average only 1-2 hours per year, citing a lack of knowledge, training and easy to leverage materials.
Teens Feel anxious and sad about climate
Did you know?
60% of teens feel significant worry about climate change, with many reporting heightened anxiety and hopelessness about their future.
Why Now?
The urgency of the climate crisis is undeniable, but we’re also at a unique moment of opportunity.
Legislative Momentum: States like New Jersey and Minnesota and cities like Los Angeles are pushing for climate-focused education policies.
Workforce Resilience: Governments and industries need a generation of climate-literate workers and informed citizens to address the challenges ahead.
Cost Savings: Investing in education today reduces future costs associated with climate and climate disasters.
