Congressman Michael Honda has introduced H.R. 4461: the Climate Change Education Act in the US House of Representatives. Congressman Honda, a former teacher, believes that educating children and families about climate change will help more move more people to take action.
H.R. 4461 creates a new $20 million Climate Change Education program at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which would make education grants and launch a national information campaign on climate change. Grants would support: 1) national public education, outreach, and communication programs, 2) statewide plans/programs for k-12 climate change education, 3) improving the quality of and access to higher education in green collar industries and green economy-related fields, and 4) teams of faculty and students to deliver climate mitigation and adaptation services to local communities.
The majority of Americans lack a basic understanding about climate science, how it’s changing our environment, climate economics, and the relationship between economics and the environment. This lack of understanding is a key factor contributing to our nation’s struggle to act to effectively mitigate and adapt to the causes of climate change. H.R. 4461 has the potential to significantly change that, and to help the U.S. catch up to the rest of the world on this vital subject.
The Ocean River Institute was invited by the Campaign for Environmental Literacy to partner with them in rallying support for a National Climate Change Education Program.
