New Jersey’s efforts to create young climate activists

New Jersey Democratic governor Phil Murphy ​has unveiled an exciting initiative to transform public school⁢ students into⁤ “climate leaders.”⁣ This groundbreaking effort includes encouraging kindergartners⁢ to contribute to environmental groups.

Murphy⁢ recently announced ⁤the establishment of the ​state’s​ Office of Climate Change Education, which aims⁤ to cultivate the “next generation of climate leaders” through New Jersey public schools. To achieve this, the office will allocate millions of dollars in public‍ funds to implement the⁣ state’s Climate Change Education standards. These standards ‌require climate-focused instruction to be integrated into⁤ various subjects at every grade level. Even kindergartners ‌will be encouraged by their teachers to join the “fight against⁣ climate change” and⁢ make donations.

Murphy’s⁣ announcement reflects a‍ growing ‍trend⁣ among prominent ⁣Democrats to‍ utilize taxpayer money to inspire young people worldwide⁣ to combat the “climate crisis.” The Biden administration, for⁣ instance, has allocated significant grant funding to develop educational materials⁢ that encourage​ K-12 ⁣students to become “climate justice action researchers and change agents,” as reported by the Washington Free Beacon in June. President Joe Biden’s U.S. Agency for International Development has also pledged⁣ billions of dollars​ to support “behavior change ⁢and communications ‍campaigns” that promote youth participation in the climate movement.

Murphy,⁣ who⁣ did not respond to a request for ​comment, has been a ‍strong advocate for various controversial climate measures since assuming office in 2018.

In 2020, New Jersey became‍ the first state in the ⁤nation to mandate climate change instruction at every grade level. The topic is now integrated into​ multiple subjects,⁣ including unexpected ones like dance. ⁤In addition to encouraging kindergartners to make climate “donations,” the state’s climate education standards explore‍ climate-related art and‌ require students to identify cultural ‍products⁢ associated with climate change.

“In the midst of some of the worst climate-related⁤ events our country has ‌ever faced, New Jersey is taking ‌a proactive​ stance in combating‌ climate change, and education is the foundation of our efforts,” Murphy stated in his recent ‌announcement.

Beyond education, Murphy also‍ made ⁣headlines in July ‌by proposing a ban on the sale of new gas-powered cars by 2035, a policy that most voters in blue New Jersey oppose, according to a Public Opinion Strategies Poll. Additionally,⁣ he signed ‌a bill providing up to $1 billion ‍in taxpayer-funded subsidies‍ to foreign green energy company Orsted, which plans to construct a wind farm off the coast of Atlantic City.

However, the ‌wind farm​ project has faced ​criticism. New Jersey’s Division of‍ Rate Council, an independent group representing ratepayers, revealed in June that the wind farm would ⁣lead to‍ increased utility costs. In September, Orsted announced the possibility of scrapping⁤ the project due to supply ⁣chain problems and other issues, potentially resulting in a $2.3 billion loss for their American portfolio.

Murphy⁣ himself acknowledged the significant energy costs associated with the ⁣project, emphasizing the need ⁤for federal intervention in a letter to⁣ President Biden. Without such action, offshore​ wind deployment in the U.S. could be at serious risk.

Read More From Original Article Here: How New Jersey Is Working To Turn Kindergartners Into Climate Activists