Climate Change Education Act

Bill Number

S. 4377

Origin Chamber

Senate

Congress

119th Congress, Session 2

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2026-04-22: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Last Updated

2026-04-29T04:53:36Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The Climate Change Education Act requires the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to create a Climate Change Education Program aimed at boosting public understanding of climate change, its effects, solutions, and related concepts like adaptation, resilience, and justice. It seeks to empower individuals and communities through education to address climate challenges.

Key Provisions

• Program Establishment (Sec. 4): NOAA must launch the program within one year of enactment in its Office of Education to:
• Raise climate literacy (knowledge of climate change causes, impacts, and solutions).
• Use NOAA's scientific resources for learning opportunities for all ages and backgrounds.
• Focus on practical info on technologies, jobs, and incentives for climate action.
• Grants and Cooperative Agreements (Sec. 5): NOAA awards funding to:
• State/local educational agencies for K-12 climate plans, teacher training, curriculum integration (e.g., STEM, civics), project-based learning, and green career pathways.
• Colleges/universities for student-led research and community climate projects.
• Professional groups for training in green economy fields.
• Youth corps for community climate work with education.
• Allocation: 50% to K-12, 30% to higher ed, 10% each to professionals and youth corps (adjusts if funding < $5M); 40% of higher ed/youth funds to environmental justice communities (areas with higher risks for low-income, communities of color, or Tribal groups).
• Minimum grant: $1M for K-12 if funding > $5M.
• Communities of Practice (Sec. 5(b)): Groups to share best practices.
• Reporting (Sec. 6): Annual reports to Congress on program effectiveness starting two years post-enactment.
• Funding (Sec. 7): Authorizes $50 million annually for fiscal years 2027–2032.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Builds on NOAA's Environmental Literacy Program (from 2005) and the America COMPETES Act (requiring NOAA education activities) by expanding it specifically for climate education.
• Introduces dedicated funding, grant priorities (e.g., climate justice, green jobs), and allocation rules not previously specified for climate topics.

Potential Impacts

• Government Agencies: NOAA gains a mandated program with new staffing, grant management, and reporting duties; expands existing education efforts.
• Citizens: Improves climate knowledge among students, teachers, professionals, and communities, potentially leading to more energy conservation, renewable energy adoption, and green job participation; prioritizes underserved groups.
• International Relations: None directly addressed.

Main Stakeholders

• NOAA: Leads program implementation.
• Educators and Schools: State/local agencies, teachers (especially science), for curriculum and training.
• Students and Youth: K-12, college students, youth corps participants.
• Higher Education: Universities for research and community projects.
• Nonprofits and Communities: Organizations, environmental justice communities, professional associations.
• Labor and Businesses: Partnerships for green career training and apprenticeships.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Authorizes federal spending without mandating state compliance; ties to existing NOAA authority. Defines terms like climate justice (fair treatment regardless of race/income) and environmental justice (equal protection from hazards).
• Constitutional: Neutral; involves federal education funding and science promotion under Congress's spending power.
• Political: Emphasizes scientific consensus on human-caused climate change and public support for education; sponsored by progressive senators, could spark debate on federal role in curriculum. Requires congressional oversight via reports.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA]

Cosponsors (8)

Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT], Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ], Sen. Hirono, Mazie K. [D-HI], Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR], Sen. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT], Sen. Schiff, Adam B. [D-CA], Sen. Van Hollen, Chris [D-MD], Sen. Warren, Elizabeth [D-MA]

Recent Actions

• 2026-04-22: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
• 2026-04-22: Introduced in Senate

Bill Versions

• Climate Change Education Act — issued 2026-04-22 — PDF (15 pages)