Discover how disparities in U.S. climate change education not only limit student understanding but also disrupt the future of global environmental action.
Climate education in schools is vital for shaping informed citizens who understand that tackling environmental challenges is key to building a sustainable future. By integrating climate science into curricula, students gain a deeper knowledge of the causes and consequences of climate change, empowering them to make informed decisions in their personal lives and communities. This includes supporting (or becoming) government leaders with policies that address global warming.
Moreover, as the impacts of climate change increasingly affect all aspects of society—economies, health, and ecosystems—awareness of these complexities is crucial for fostering global cooperation and innovation. Climate education helps students see the interconnectedness of environmental, social, and economic issues, encouraging them to take action locally while also considering worldwide implications.
Equipping young people with climate literacy is key to building a future generation of responsible, proactive leaders committed to protecting the planet. This should be the gold standard. Sadly, here in the United States, educational frameworks and guidelines for teaching climate science vary so widely that receiving accurate, reliable information about climate change depends entirely on where a student lives and who governs that area.
This post is part of the Climate Change Collective, a dedicated group of bloggers that tackle environmental and climate-related issues. The lead post this month, ’Is Climate Change Overlooked in Schools?’ was written by Jamie from Jamie Ad Stories.
A Quick Guide to the U.S. Educational System
While there are definitely more layers to this that you can deep dive into if you’re curious, overseeing education is primarily a state and local responsibility. This means that while the federal government, by way of the Department of Education, can offer guidelines, and suggest various standards to follow, their role in determining what should be taught is largely advisory and indirect. In fact, in the United States, there is no federally mandated curriculum, which means each state sets its own standards for what students will learn in each subject.
There are some key educational curriculum-based frameworks that have endorsement or approval at the federal level, such as the Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts and Mathematics, standardised testing via the National Assessment of Educational Progress, and the Next Generation Science Standards, which outline what students should learn from kindergarten through high school. However, individual states often tailor them to their specific needs, which essentially leaves the role of the federal government as largely supportive (through funding and general oversight) rather than direct curriculum creation.
Climate Change Education Inconsistencies in the U.S.
Leaving educational curriculum decisions up to each individual state can be problematic, particularly in subjects like science that also cover climate change, because it potentially creates a patchwork of standards with significant disparities in what students learn.
States with political or economic interests tied to certain industries, such as fossil fuels, may downplay or omit key scientific concepts like human-caused climate change, preventing students from receiving a comprehensive and up-to-date education on critical global issues. This can contribute to scientific illiteracy and a lack of consensus on important topics, such as environmental sustainability and public health.
In addition to the state-level differences in science curricula, there is the profoundly concerning practice of pro-fossil fuel educational resources and lesson plans being used in schools across the country—which, perhaps unsurprisingly, have been created and funded by the fossil fuel industry.
Yes, you read that right. The fossil fuel industry is using school materials as propaganda in children’s education.
For example, the American Petroleum Institute—the primary special interest group for the oil and gas industry that lobbies the U.S. government to oppose policies contrary to its interests—is a content partner of Discovery Education. Discovery Education produces digital textbooks, lesson plans, and other resources currently used in about half of the schools in the United States. Many of these materials either omit or downplay the fact that fossil fuels are the leading contributors to global warming.
It’s no wonder that some teachers and school districts are expressing concerns about tackling the subject properly. Alongside constantly shifting or increasingly constrained science education guidelines and curriculum variances from state-to-state (sometimes even from one municipality to the next), as well as materials for lessons being created by the fossil fuel industry, it makes things needlessly complicated (and murky).
A 2023 study by the North American Association for Environmental Education found that while most teachers recognise the need to address climate change in classrooms, many are uneasy about doing so. This hesitation stems from gaps in their own knowledge, a lack of high-quality resources, and disapproval from parents, administrators, and state lawmakers regarding the topic.
How States Restrict and Challenge Climate Change Education
As mentioned before, inconsistencies in science curricula can depend on where a student lives in the United States. The policies and laws that shape what can and cannot be covered are often guided by which political party runs the area. Unfortunately, addressing climate change—or even simply believing in it—has a clear political divide.
This is not intended to bash one side over the other; however, a 2023 study conducted by the Pew Research Center highlights the ideological differences among voters. It found that 78% of Democrats and left-leaning independents, compared to 23% of Republicans and right-leaning independents, believe climate change is a major threat. Another study by the same group found that a much smaller percentage of Republicans than Democrats think the president and Congress should make addressing global warming a priority in 2024 (12% and 59%, respectively).
While it’s true that not every Republican-led part of the United States is imposing these limitations, the only examples I found of laws and guidelines that restrict how global warming is taught—often including alternative views based on scepticism of decades of established climate science—came from Republican states. For example:
- Texas | Last year, the biggest oil and gas state in the United States, had its education board request that textbook publishers remove negative portrayals of fossil fuels and maintain a focus on teaching “all sides” of climate issues, which can include climate denial perspectives.
- Tennessee | In 2012, a law was passed that allows teachers to question and criticise scientific theories, including climate change, alongside other topics like evolution. This opens the door to misrepresenting climate change as unsettled science, and undermines scientific education by allowing non-scientific ideas to be discussed alongside established data and research.
- Florida | Legislation passed in 2024 effectively removed the term “climate change” from state statutes, diminishing its importance in education and policy. This reflects broader efforts to minimise the focus on climate change, aligning with a political shift that de-prioritises environmental concerns in its schools. Publishers were even asked to remove some references to climate change from some public school textbooks.
- Alabama | This state has proposed and hopes to implement key revisions to its science standards for middle school-aged children that involve removing references to and information about addressing the human causes of climate change.
And these four states are just the tip of an ever-increasing anti-climate change movement. There are many more states that are introducing legislation to censor climate science education, present global warming as a “debate,” or teach alternative, often unscientific perspectives. Not only does this undermine rigorously studied and globally recognised scientific knowledge, it severely underprepares young people for the realities of the future they are heading into.
However, the good news is that an encouraging number of states have integrated robust climate change education programs into their curricula—many choosing to either fully or partially align with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). These states emphasise teaching about climate change as a critical, scientifically supported issue and incorporate it into various parts of their educational standards.
While most of the 20 states that have so far fully adopted the NGSS are Democrat-led, there are some Republican-run ones doing this too—with many more states using standards based on this framework.
How the Next Generation Science Standards Can Empower Students
Released in 2013, the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) are a K–12 educational framework designed to improve the teaching of science in the United States. Developed through a collaborative effort led by the National Research Council, the National Science Teachers Association, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and various state education departments, these standards have become highly regarded.
When it comes to teaching about climate change, the NGSS incorporates climate science concepts at different grade levels, fosters critical thinking through evidence-based analysis, promotes inquiry-driven learning, and highlights the link between human activities and climate change. This approach equips students to understand and address complex environmental challenges as informed future citizens. The standards cover, for example:
- Elementary School (Grades K–5) | In the early grades, basic concepts about weather, climate, and the natural world are introduced. Students are encouraged to explore how living things, including humans, interact with their environment and how weather patterns vary. Climate change concepts are not heavily emphasised at this level, but foundational ideas are introduced through the study of weather and ecosystems.
- Middle School (Grades 6–8) | At this stage, global warming is addressed more explicitly. Students study the Earth’s climate system and the evidence for climate change, including data on temperature increases, changing weather patterns, and the effects of human activities.
- High School (Grades 9–12) | Through these years, students are expected to gain a deeper understanding of climate science, including the mechanisms behind climate change, its impacts on the environment and human systems, and potential solutions for mitigating its effects.
- Integration with Other Disciplines | It is firmly understood within this framework that climate change is a multi-disciplinary topic. Students not only learn the science behind climate change but also its economic, social, and political dimensions. Teachers are encouraged to integrate these broader contexts into science lessons, helping students understand how climate change affects societies and ecosystems globally.
The Next Generation Science Standards ensure that students gain a comprehensive understanding of climate change, starting with basic concepts in elementary school and progressing to more detailed analysis and problem-solving in high school. The standards emphasise the human role in climate change and the importance of using scientific evidence to address and mitigate its impacts. This framework helps prepare students to engage with one of the most critical environmental issues facing the planet today.
Understanding Other Key Disparities in the U.S. Education System
It’s important to note that educational inequalities extend far beyond how climate change is covered in science. Major imbalances appear in several ways, the most direct and far-reaching of which is the notable contrast in funding between school districts.
In the United States, public schools are primarily funded through a combination of local, state, and federal sources. Local funding, often derived from property taxes, is a significant contributor and can create inequalities based on community wealth. For example, wealthier districts typically receive more funding, enabling them to provide better facilities, up-to-date technology, smaller class sizes, and access to advanced courses. Conversely, schools in underfunded districts often lack these resources, leading to overcrowded classrooms, outdated textbooks, fewer school supplies, and limited access to extracurricular activities.
State funding supplements local taxes and is distributed to equalise resources between wealthier and poorer districts, but it can still leave large gaps and imbalances that need to be addressed. A much smaller portion of school funding comes from the federal level and is typically allocated to specific programs, such as special education or low-income schools. However, wealthier districts are still able to raise additional funds more regularly than historically marginalised or underserved ones.
Improving How Climate Change Is Taught Around the World
I appreciate that this article has had a heavy focus on the United States of America, but I wanted to end with a call to action that provides some ideas about advocating for climate change education no matter where you are in the world. If you want to improve how students in your country learn about protecting the planet, consider the following:
- Support funding and resources for ongoing professional development for teaching staff so they are fully equipped with up-to-date climate science knowledge.
- Approve and/or contribute to funds for high-quality classroom resources that bolster student learning—and block any/all sponsored materials from groups connected to the fossil fuel industry from being used.
- Endorse and push for adoption of science standards that focus on teaching about climate change from an evidence-based perspective that aligns with globally recognised scientific consensus and emphasises critical thinking. Standards should also encourage inquiry-based learning, problem-solving, and actionable solutions for sustainability.
- Encourage interdisciplinary learning across subjects like history, geography, economics, and social studies that allows students to understand its broader social, political, and economic impacts, fostering a more holistic understanding.
- Promote tackling climate science disinformation so that students learn how to spot deliberately inaccurate or biassed data, research, and news (and the sources that produce it).
- Vote out any educational and/or governmental candidates at the local and national levels who have used their positions to advance anti-science, climate change-denying policies. This should also include any official who has obstructed meaningful environmental action and undermined evidence-based solutions that address the climate crisis.
These are just a few simple yet powerful actions that can really make a difference. I hope you can find more ways to take a stand and protect the teaching of climate science and the wide-reaching impacts of global warming.
In Summary
Hopefully this article helped to highlight some of the educational disparities in climate change education across the United States, and it got you curious about how this essential knowledge is taught where you live (whether you’re in the U.S. or not).
All students deserve access to accurate climate science information, alongside high-quality resources and teaching, but it’s clear that for many there are socioeconomic factors, regional differences, and political interests that negatively impact this. No matter where young people live, they should develop a comprehensive understanding of climate science (free from fossil fuel interference), which is crucial for their ability to navigate and address future environmental challenges.
We are all part of a collective responsibility to ensure that children, regardless of their location, receive accurate and timely climate education. As educators, parents, or community members, we can use our voices (and votes) to make sure environmental initiatives include a climate curriculum that shapes informed, responsible future leaders who can safeguard this planet. It’s an investment none of us can (or should) overlook.
How is climate change taught where you live? Do you think more could be done to improve climate science education?
Further Info:
Climate Change Deniers Make up Nearly a Quarter of U.S. Congress – The Guardian
New Evidence Reveals Fossil Fuel Industry Sponsored Climate Science in 1954 – DeSmog
transatlantic | notes 
Thanks for this comprehensive look at how climate change is handled across the USA, Molly. Sadly, none of this surprises me. We see similar patterns in Canada. If we don’t find a way to stop politicizing science, I fear we are all doomed.
The subject of science, and climate change has become a political football that misinformation and denial thrive in. I hope more people wake up to this and create positive change.
Malaysia need climate changed education too. Our youngsters are quite lacking when it comes to climate changed. And some adults just don’t care.
I feel that this is very much an issue that many countries around the world could do better at. There is clearly a need to better education on this subject. Thanks so much for commenting!
It’s a shame that climate education seems to politicised in the USA, I think it’s going that way in the UK too x
Lucy |
I agree, it is an absolute disservice to our own futures that this is so political. I hope the UK avoids this as it’s not a great situation to be in. Thanks for reading!
I cannot believe they make resources to educate about the benefits of fossil fuels. It really does feel like companies with money can influence education and politics in the US.
Thanks for the incredible research you did when analysing climate change education there.
At every level, the fossil fuel industry has huge influence. They fund politicians, have lobby groups to pressure government to stop policies they don’t like, and they fund and create educational resources and lesson plans for schools. They have also spent decades spreading climate change denial—it’s wild how much power they have!
I learned so much from this informative post. I definitely think we should be talking more about this, even in Canada. Thank you for sharing ways we can help.
There are definite layers to this, so I hope at least more and more people will see that they need to be advocating for better climate science education. Thanks for reading!
It really amazes me how some people will not accept climate change. But really it is the governments being in bed with the corporations. I hope these people enjoy the time they have on earth b/c when the time comes for them to depart this mortal coil it is not going to be fun for them…
This is exactly it, government officials being bought and paid for my the very corporations and industries that are overwhelmingly responsible for driving climate change. It’s sad that money (and power) has more influence than securing the future of the planet!
I learned about climate change in school for the very first time, in middle school I think. And so I do realise the role schools can play. I’m not sure how and what they are teaching in schools in my country now, but indeed, we need to teach about climate change from a young age. It’s already in a state of emergency. The temperatures in my country have risen drastically in the past few years, and this year many parts of my country faced major natural disasters that resulted directly or indirectly from climate change. It’s high time we educate ourselves and the younger generation about climate change. Unfortunately, the things that actually need attention rarely get it in time. This is a great post!
It seems a general lack of educational coverage regarding climate science and climate change is sadly lacking in many parts of the world. I really do hope this vastly improves because it’s those children and young people who will be facing even more global warming and it’s impacts than we will. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts on this!
This was such an interesting read, I had no idea how the education system in the US worked and how different states have control – it sounds incredibly problematic when it comes to topics like climate change.
It is quite problematic as it creates an imbalance, which really should not exist. It’s a shame many children and young people are not getting the climate education they deserve.