I'm Brian Ler on WNYC and now our climate story of the week, which we're doing every

Tuesday on the show this year.

In June 2020, New Jersey became the first state in the nation to adopt standards for learning

about climate change from kindergarten through 12th grade.

The mandate went into effect during the school year that just standard and covered most subjects,

including physical education, teaching climate change in gym classes, apparently, and this

summer the state has added climate standards for two more subjects, English language arts

and math.

The proposed revisions to the curriculum have reignited the conversation and led to some very

fiery board meetings about climate education in New Jersey and across the country.

New Jersey's first lady, Tammy Murphy, wife of Governor Murphy, obviously spearheaded

the initiative on the notion that climate education is essential to creating a climate

literate generation that will be prepared for the ever intensifying effects of climate

change as well as a new green economy.

Opponents say it can become a indoctrination or make kids too afraid.

Let's discuss.

Now, to discuss what New Jersey's climate change curriculum includes and how this has

become yet another front in the school culture wars are Dr. Lauren Madden, professor of elementary

science education at the College of New Jersey, where she is also coordinator of the environmental

sustainability education minor.

And on your cabinets, longtime former NPR education reporter, advisor to the Aspen Institute

and author of several books, including most recently the stolen year, how COVID changed

...