The Los Angeles Board of Education unanimously approved a climate change curriculum for students K–12 in the Los Angeles Unified School District on Feb. 8.
The newly approved resolution’s goal is to implement the discussion of climate change into all subjects—including English, math, and science—with the help of federal and state financial support that must be spent in three to five years.
“We are going to make sure that everybody teaches climate change through all the curriculum,” Board Member Scott Schmerelson said at a Feb. 8 meeting.
According to the resolution, pollutants from freeways and refineries cause individuals to be more susceptible to asthma and other health conditions.
The resoultion also states educating students on how the state’s drought, fires, and floods can lead to “unstable futures.”
Schools will also expand the climate change curriculum outdoors as students will participate in what’s called “climate literacy” instruction in nature, where students will go outside to learn about climate change.
“We have only one planet and our students are absolutely going to be the ones to help us sustain it,” Board Member Tanya Ortiz Franklin said at the meeting.
Parishi Kanuaga, a student board member, applauded the effort of the board for aiming to provide “engaging education” that allows for students to be more involved with their communities.
“We really need to take part in defining our futures and the future of our environment,” Kanuaga said.
Public commenters voiced their support for the resolution, urging the board to pass the it.
“The climate crisis is affecting the health, safety, and security of all students and their families,” a public speaker said. “We can’t wait for our students to become adults before the climate change lightbulb goes off in their head years from now when the world is a much more dangerous place than it is today.”
No public comments opposed the resolution.
