NY Continues Climate Change Fight

Three Bills Seek to Establish Climate Change Curriculum in Public Schools: Climate Change poses a Severe Threat to New York State, making Higher Temperatures, Rising Sea Levels, Increasing Rates of Extreme Storms, and Public Health Crises the New Normal. To Create the Next Generation of Environmental Leaders who will achieve these Goals, Three New York Bills are Aiming to Establish a Climate Change Curriculum for Public Schools to Educate Youth about Current and Future Environmental Challenges.

S. 6837 - The New York Climate Change Education Act, would establish a Grant Program to support Climate Change Education Programs for Youth or provide Teachers with Training and Professional Development related to Increasing Climate Literacy in Students. In 78% of New York Schools, Climate Change Education is supported. However, Schools are still Struggling to Incorporate this Study into their Curriculum. For Teachers from Eligible Schools, this Grant Program would provide Professional Development on how to Implement Climate Change learning into their Classrooms, as well as Resources and Tools to Successfully deliver Lessons.

S. 7341 - would Require the Commissioner of Education to Create a Model for a Climate Change Curriculum that could be Implemented in All Public Elementary and Secondary Schools. Because Children today will eventually bear a heavy Environmental Burden, it is important to get them Interested and Focused on these Issues now by Integrating Climate Change into their Daily Education in School. This Legislation would bring Climate Change into All Subjects including: Health, History, the Sciences, and Social Studies. It would cover a Wide Variety of Topics including: Air Quality, Energy, Environmental Justice, Forestry, Pollution, and Sustainability, These Comprehensive and Interdisciplinary Lessons would strive to Teach Children the Importance of Climate Change today so they may Lead Mitigation and Adaptation Efforts in the Future.

S. 6877 - would Require the Commissioner of Education to Formulate Recommendations to the Board of Regents for implementing Climate Change Instruction in High Schools. This Bill strives to help High School Students understand the Science behind Climate Change, including: Energy Consumption and Greenhouse Gas Emissions. It would also offer Support to Educators as they Incorporate Climate Change into their Classrooms. With this Knowledge, Students will be Empowered to make Informed Environmental Choices and Assist New York in Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions.

In April 2016, the New York City Council adopted Resolution 0375, which calls on the New York State Department of Education to Create a Curriculum for K-12 Schools that includes Lessons on Climate Change. Resolution 0375 quotes the National Center for Science Education on the Importance of Climate Change Education for the Next Generation, Discusses the Potential Ramifications from Climate Change on the: Economy, Infrastructure, National Security, and the Natural Environment, and Argues that Children should be Aware of Far-Reaching Climate Impacts.

NYC Council Speaker Johnson (D-3rd District) Unveils Strategies to Fight Climate Change: The Environment was the Focus of Johnson’s Annual State of the City Speech, which had been Planned for March 12th, 2020, but was Postponed due to COVID-19. However, the Speaker still Released a Report detailing the Policies that he will Prioritize when the Current Public Health Crisis has Passed. Speaker Johnson’s Report, titled “Securing Our Future: Strategies for New York City in the Fight Against Climate Change,” is a Call to Action for Increased Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Efforts throughout New York City.

The Coronavirus Pandemic is causing a Short-Term Improvement in Air Quality. A Team at Columbia University found the Carbon-Dioxide Concentrations in New York had dropped by 8%-10% compared to March 2019. In New York City, Data collected by TomTom, a GPS-Navigation Firm, shows Peak-Hour Traffic down between 13.5 and 26%. Carbon-Monoxide Levels in the City are Half those during the Corresponding Period Last Year, according to Researchers at Columbia.

But this Temporary Improvement must Not Stop our Continued Efforts in the Climate Change Fight.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker