Play Even though policymakers and utilities are increasingly focused on reducing the impacts of climate change, education experts say a standard curriculum on this topic hasn’t really resonated at the school level. (Adobe Stock) The U.S. Supreme Court this month declined to hear a case brought by youth activists, who argued the federal government has failed to protect them from climate change . Minnesota teens are also elevating their voices on this topic. The court case was seen as a potential game-changer in highlighting the influence the fossil fuel industry has on federal policy. Separately, a coalition of Minnesota high school students is pushing the Legislature to approve a bill that would bring climate justice education to classrooms in the state. Wayzata High School Sophomore Ansh Shah said if his generation will have to help with solutions, they’ll need the facts. “We haven’t had stuff taught to us on our own,” said Shah. “We have to go out and we have to find all these information sources ourselves. And if we had, like, actual curriculum in schools, it’ll make it a lot easier for people to be informed on this and actually want to make an effort.” The bill calls for a model program – consistent with state standards – with some focus on how marginalized communities often face the worst effects of climate change. Similar to the national court case, the Minnesota effort has run into setbacks. Earlier proposals didn’t gain traction in recent legislative sessions – and so far, this one hasn’t received much attention. But like their peers elsewhere in the country, these Minnesota students feel their effort will turn some heads, even if they’re not always successful. Fellow Wayzata Sophomore Vedanth Srinivasf said despite the urgent tone associated with climate change, it’s important to think […]
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