The New Jersey Department of Education has become the first state in the nation to add climate change education to their K-12 learning standards.

 

Updated every five years, the new standards will begin September 2021 and be incorporated into the seven content areas including 21st Century Life and Careers, Comprehensive Health and Physical Education, Science, Social Studies, Technology, Visual and Performing Arts and World Languages.

The initiative to incorporate climate change into education was first announced by New Jersey First Lady Tammy Murphy with support from Governor Phil Murphy, as he believes it will bring about new green jobs and help the state become a 100% clean energy state by 2050. The newly adopted learning standards were reviewed by 130 educators from public, nonpublic and charter schools as well as parents and representatives from non-profit organizations, businesses, health fields and even the military from across the state.

Both Gov. Murphy and the First Lady have been advocates of climate change and made the issue a priority of their Administration.  In January, Murphy unveiled the state's Energy Master Plan to develop new climate change regulations. Former Vice President Al Gore has been vocal in supporting Gov. Murphy in his environmental efforts and in a statement on the new K-12 education standards said, "This initiative is vitally important to our students as they are the leaders of tomorrow, and we will depend on their leadership and knowledge to combat this crisis."