In response to rising ecological concerns and political repression, students across the United States are leading a bold movement known as the ‘Green New Deal for Schools.’ This program, spearheaded by the Sunrise Movement, a youth-led climate justice collective, is laying the groundwork for a seismic shift in American education.
A climate revolution led by young people
Students at more than 50 high schools throughout the country are paving a new path toward a more sustainable future. Their ambitious agenda includes a comprehensive approach to solving the climate problem, as well as requiring climate justice education, the development of green job routes after graduation, and rigorous disaster preparedness methods. This initiative emerges as a light of optimism and determination in the face of a coordinated push to discourage climate action and education in schools.
Adah Crandall, a 17-year-old Sunrise Movement organizer in Portland, Oregon, summed up the spirit of the movement when she said, “We are prepared to do whatever it takes.” She stressed the importance of their work, highlighting how right-wing activities have attempted to hinder climate education despite the fact that the climate disaster is developing right in front of their eyes.
The attack on climate education
The fight for climate education continues, with conservative groups attempting to prevent any mention of climate justice in classrooms. Many students throughout the country agree with Summer Mathis, a 16-year-old from North Cobb High School in Kennesaw, Georgia, who decried the absence of climate change instruction. “We don’t learn about climate change at all,” Mathis explained. A vague “divisive concepts” law in Georgia, like in other places where climate education is under attack, obstructs any real debate of climate justice.
Science textbooks in Texas have been revised to emphasize the “positive” features of fossil fuels, while Florida has authorized false videos comparing climate activists to Nazis. Idaho is mired in a protracted struggle over the inclusion of climate change in academic standards. These difficulties weigh hard on students, who are unable to vote and must deal with the implications of decisions that affect their future.
Working together for a sustainable future
Despite the odds, young activists are not giving up. Aster Chau, a 15-year-old student at Philadelphia’s Academy at Palumbo, discussed their experiences during a heat wave, emphasizing the school’s lack of air conditioning. Such conditions have necessitated early dismissals and cancellations of sporting events, leaving pupils concerned about the growing severity of extreme weather events.
Approximately 150 high school students attended a summer camp in Illinois to hone their advocacy and escalation skills in preparation for their climate crusade. This dynamic training has strengthened their determination, propelling them to Washington, D.C., to reintroduce the Green New Deal for Public Schools Act with Representative Jamaal Bowman and Senator Ed Markey. This legislation aims to provide critical funds for schools, allowing for curriculum growth, staff hiring, and campus renovations to produce greener, safer settings.
“I have had times when I was just overwhelmed with climate anxiety,” Aster Chau beautifully summarized the spirit of the movement. “But I guess being with one another is really helpful, knowing that I’m not just the only one who is feeling this pressure, but also extreme passion in fighting it.”
As the ‘Green New Deal for Schools’ takes root and blossoms around the country, these committed young people show that when it comes to protecting the environment, they are willing to do “whatever it takes.” Their zeal, togetherness, and dedication provide a ray of hope in the fight against the climate disaster, reminding us all that the future is in capable hands.
