WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Climate Change Education Act, introduced by Senator Edward Markey (D-Mass.) and Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.), will expand the climate change education program at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and help ensure tomorrow’s leaders are equipped to help confront the climate crisis.

The bill increases just and equitable climate literacy and establishes a grant program for state and local educational agencies, workforce development programs and other institutions to equip the next generation to find climate solutions and better deal will the challenges ahead.

“As one of the world’s biggest greenhouse gas emitters, the United States has a responsibility to educate today’s youth and tomorrow’s leaders on climate science and solutions,” said Kim Martinez, vice president of national education and engagement at the National Wildlife Federation. “Funding this bill will support the development of climate literacy curricula, professional development for teachers, workforce training, and science, technology, health and engineering education. Senator Markey and Congresswoman Dingell’s bill also critically includes environmental justice, which will help ensure communities most impacted by climate change are centered in the solutions we enact.”

The legislation is also endorsed by the Campaign for Environmental Literacy, North American Association for Environmental Education, Alliance for Climate Education, Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education, National Center for Science Education, EarthDay.org, Union of Concerned Scientists, National Recreation and Park Association, and National Science Teaching Association.