Maryland is wisely making climate education a priority
I am writing to express my enthusiastic support for Maryland’s inaugural Climate Education Week taking place this first week of April to usher in Earth Month. This initiative, spearheaded by the Maryland Commission on Climate Change and supported by Gov. Wes Moore, marks a crucial step in preparing our students for the challenges of climate change (“Climate change must be on top of the General Assembly agenda this year,” Jan. 9).
As an educator in Maryland, I am thrilled to see our state taking proactive measures to educate our youth about climate science and its implications. Climate change is not a distant threat; it is affecting our communities right now with extreme weather events, rising temperatures and other environmental impacts. By providing students with the knowledge and skills to understand and address these challenges, we are investing in their future and the future of our planet.
Climate Education Week not only focuses on science classes but is designed to integrate climate-related topics across various subjects, highlighting the social, economic and ethical dimensions of the issue. This interdisciplinary approach will empower students to become informed citizens capable of advocating for climate policies, reducing carbon footprints and building community resilience.
Moreover, quality climate instruction will foster critical thinking skills and empathy toward vulnerable communities disproportionately affected by climate change. By equipping our students with these competencies, we are nurturing a generation capable of confronting the climate crisis head-on.
I commend Maryland for its dedication to climate education and encourage other states to follow suit. It is essential that we prioritize climate literacy in our schools to ensure that future generations are prepared to tackle the challenges posed by climate change.
This Earth Month, let us all take inspiration from Maryland’s example and work towards a more sustainable future for our planet.
— Mary Kay Connerton, Annapolis
The writer is Maryland’s 2023-24 Teacher of the Year.