Wildfires, polluted air, rising sea levels—California’s youth are already living with the consequences of climate change. Yet, many students aren’t being taught the science behind these crises or how to solve them. This needs to change, and we need YOUR help.

We are the Junior Philanthropists Foundation (JPF), the nation’s largest youth-led environmental policy organization. After successfully supporting 17 major environmental bills, we're now pushing for a new bill that will require every public high school in California to teach a comprehensive climate change unit in life sciences, starting with the 2029–30 graduating class.

Modeled after New York’s recently passed climate education bill S278A, this proposal ensures that students learn about climate systems science, the human role in climate change, its impacts on ecosystems and human health, and strategies for mitigation and adaptation. Schools will have until the 2027–28 school year to integrate this unit, giving them time to align with state standards. The State Board of Education, in collaboration with climate experts and educators, will develop the curriculum frameworks.

Schools will have flexibility to either adopt the state’s curriculum or develop their own, provided it meets state standards. The bill also includes provisions for state reimbursement to cover any extra costs, ensuring no school is left behind.

This curriculum builds on existing frameworks like the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), which already emphasize climate science. Pilot programs in districts such as San Francisco Unified and Berkeley Unified will gather feedback and refine the curriculum before statewide implementation. Partnerships with the California Science Teachers Association (CSTA) and youth-led climate groups will ensure the material is relevant and engaging for students.

California has already demonstrated its ability to integrate environmental education through programs like NGSS and the Education and the Environment Initiative (EEI). This bill will build on those successes, empowering students to lead the fight against climate change, one of the greatest challenges of our time.

Join us in making climate change education a reality. Sign the petition today to ensure that climate education becomes a core part of every public high school’s curriculum. Together, we can prepare students to protect the planet and their future.