New law to bring climate education to classrooms across Oregon

Oregon lawmakers recently passed a bill requiring climate change education to be integrated into classrooms across the state. The legislation directs the state board of education to integrate climate science — including causes, impacts, and strategies for adaptation — in core subjects like science, history, health, and civics. The goal is to equip students with accurate information and age-appropriate tools to understand and respond to the climate crisis. Supporters say the new law is a step toward normalizing climate education statewide, especially in rural and underserved regions.

Tana Shepard, founding member of Oregon Educators for Climate Education — the organization that drafted the bill — and Mikayla May, a high school student and climate advocate with Our Future, join us to talk about what this means for Oregon schools and for the next generation of students.