Growing up in southern California it is obvious to anyone that climate change is anything but a hoax and can be considered one of the biggest threats to not only the current generation but future generations. Specifically living in the state of California where heatwaves are occurring more often, rain is an unexpected event, and oil spills are becoming less novel, it is even more apparent why climate change education needs to be a part of the California school curriculum. Our current actions are sending our planet to a state of no return. We must inform the future generation of policymakers, who are currently in school, on how to prevent and fight its harmful effects.

Currently, school boards and districts across the state have taken measures to address the impact of global warming, but according to state law in California, public schools are only encouraged to teach environmental studies, not enforced, meaning many students are unaware of the gravity of the situation at hand. If students are not educated on climate change and other environmental issues, how is it to be expected for anything to change or improve?

When I was a junior in high school, I had the opportunity to take AP Environmental Studies, a class that discusses topics ranging from endangered animals and ecosystems to renewable energy sources to our overall impact on the planet. Not only did this class open my eyes to what was going on in the world around us, but the information taught provided my classmates and me with the tools to make changes to our current habits and behaviors. Before I had taken the course, I believed I was educated in regards to the environment and how my actions were affecting it, but within the first week, I realized how ignorant I was. Now, I am most likely not the only one to feel this way and it is scary to think how many people truly do not understand the severity of climate change. How can we expect change when people are unaware there is a need for change?

I propose a graduation requirement of at least one year of climate change curriculum for students in public California high schools. This would encourage students to be informed on this pressing issue and hopefully cause many people to alter their destructive attitudes and actions impacting the planet.

The time to act is now. We must change the narrative if we have any hope to provide our children and future generations with a habitual environment. Sign this petition to require climate change studies in our California schools!