RI Legislator Is Pushing For Climate Literacy to Be Taught in Schools
GoLocalProv News Team
RI Legislator Is Pushing For Climate Literacy to Be Taught in Schools
The idea was a recommendation of “Resilient Rhody,” the statewide resilience action strategy created by an executive order from Governor Gina Raimondo.
“The students of today are going to be the next generation of stewards of this earth. They are inheriting a planet that needs help, and a state that is being significantly impacted by sea level rise. It’s imperative that they are provided accurate scientific information about climate change and that they understand what it means for their future. Kids are also some of the greatest ambassadors for messages about protecting the earth. When kids learn about the necessity of reducing our impacts, they are willing to make change and ask their families to do the same. Making sure they all learn about how real and serious climate change is will have an impact here and now as well as when they grow up,” said Rep. Cortvriend.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTThe Resolution
The resolution asks public schools to offer courses in climate and environmental literacy, and also asks the Department of Education to develop a set of key environmental and climate principals that can be incorporated into existing curricula in any subjects.
According to the resolution, only 30 percent of middle school science teachers and 45 percent of high school science teachers are aware of the extent of that scientific consensus.
Resilient Rhody Strategy
The Resilient Rhody Strategy calls for expanding K-12 education on environmental literacy, including climate-related emergency preparedness, by developing resources for school use and identifying how these concepts can be incorporated into existing state standards.
PHOTOS: General Assembly Opening Session - January 1, 2019
