Advancing Climate Education

Schindel is a member of the policy committee of the Climate and Resilience Education Task Force (CRETF), which has been instrumental in defining and advocating for P-12 Climate Education for all students in New York State. The CRETF policy committee—composed of climate education scholars, P-12 educators, parents, recent college graduates, authors and college professors—worked with youth and with Brooklyn Senator Andrew Gounardes’ office to draft a comprehensive climate education bill, introduced as S278A/A1559A.S.278A in the 2023-24 legislative session. S.278A sought to establish comprehensive climate education in public pre-kindergarten, elementary and secondary schools. This groundbreaking legislation aimed to equip educators with the resources and support they need to effectively explore the causes and impacts of climate change, consider the socio-emotional learning impacts on their students and educate students with tools for action.

Schindel joined CRETF members and supporters on two of their five trips to Albany, where they held 130 meetings with legislators. The bill gained 42 Assembly and 19 Senate co-sponsors, 70 organizational endorsements and significant media attention. Organizations endorsing the bill include the Western New York Clean Air Coalition and the Seneca Nation Office of Emergency Management. Unfortunately, the bill did not pass, and no state funds were allocated toward climate education.

However, this has not stopped Schindel and CRETF, who continued to meet with key stakeholders over the summer. At the end of the 2023-24 legislative session, CRETF engaged in conversations with the New York State Education Department (NYSED) to learn what they want and need to move climate education forward in the state. At the same time, CRETF talked with members of ClimeTime in Washington, the Senior Climate Change Education Advisor for New Jersey, and other policymakers and activists across the country to understand the promises and pitfalls of other states' initiatives, which Schindel and CRETF’s policy committee shared with NYSED.

CRETF and NYSED are now united in their commitment to bring climate education to all students in New York State. “The collaborative relationship that our CRETF policy committee has forged with NYSED is a significant development and is a testament to our persistence, successful advocacy, and the wealth of knowledge and expertise of our members,” Schindel said. We are incredibly excited to work with NYSED.”

In fall 2023, the New York Board of Regents’ Blue Ribbon Commission on Graduation Measures outlined their new “Portrait of a Graduate,” which will include climate literacy as one of several key competencies. These updated graduation standards demonstrate increased support for climate education among state-level policy actors. This includes funding for updated climate learning standards, providing resources for educators, and professional learning opportunities through university pre-service teacher programs, BOCES, districts and service providers. CRETF continues working with partners and New York’s decision-makers to develop a legislative package that can finally move the needle on climate education in 2025.

Schindel also supported the development of the New York Climate Education Hub as a member of the Working Committee and Advisory Board. The Hub, which officially launched in August 2024 in time for the start of the school year, boasts resources made by and for New York state teachers, as well as professional learning opportunities and news articles for students.

To learn more, visit the New York Climate Education Hub at nyclimateeducation.org.