Dear Parents, Teachers, Students, and Berkeley community:

There’s never been a more urgent time to teach our children about climate change. Scientists say we only have a few years left to slash our carbon emissions by half. If we don’t, they warn, the damage to our planet will be catastrophic and irreversible.

Berkeley schools, and the Berkeley community at large, are already home to students, teachers, and organizers showing great leadership in climate literacy and justice work, in and out of the classroom. But an organized educational response to the climate emergency will ensure that teachers have the resources and support to maintain and grow this important work. 

Students equipped with science-based knowledge will have a greater chance of success understanding, adapting, and responding effectively to climate issues. Climate justice education that is focused on doable solutions energizes and empowers our children for a sustainable future and a livable planet. 

The Berkeley Climate Literacy Resolution includes commitment from BUSD to:

• Graduate students well versed in climate change science, issues and solutions, and to understand environmental and climate justice as a civil rights issue;
• Create an Environmental Literacy Working Group to develop a comprehensive eco-literacy curriculum;
• Engage, center and elevate voices and existing work of the communities most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.

What you can do to help:

• Sign this petition to support climate literacy curriculum here in BUSD;  
• Forward this petition to your friends and family! Our goal is 500 signatures by  November 3;
• Join the Berkeley Schools Board Meeting (via Zoom) on November 3 at 7pm; 
• Help us organIze to support this resolution and other climate solutions as a BUSD community. Contact Svea Lin Soll, findsvea@gmail.com to get involved;
• Join us, and millions of others, to educate students on climate change and its effects on the world around us.

After seeing the devastating effects of climate change in California and around the world, we believe that solutions must come from everywhere - including our public schools. Please sign this petition and support this cause!