AUGUSTA - Rep. Lydia Blume, D-York, introduced legislation Tuesday before the Legislature's Education and Cultural Affairs Committee to establish a pilot program to facilitate climate change education in Maine public schools.
LD 1902 would establish the Climate Education Professional Development Pilot Program, a three-year program that would provide $3 million in grants to train teachers in Next Generation Science Standards and interdisciplinary climate education.
"One of the Climate Council's recommended strategies in the Maine Wont Wait Four Year Climate Action Plan is to increase educational opportunities in climate and energy," said Blume, who attended the COP26 climate conference in Glasgow in November. "This bill supports this strategy by offering professional development opportunities for Maine educators and by enabling school districts to partner with local, community-based organizations in order to better educate students of climate change's causes, impacts and the new opportunities created because of it."
Diana Allen, a middle school science teacher from Sanford and Maine Science Teachers Association board member, testified in support of Blume's proposal.
"Many educators that are in the classroom now were not taught about climate change because it was not a 'hot topic that was addressed in their high school and college classes. It is now," said Allen. "The need for these teachers to be able to get up to date on what is happening with climate change so they can, in turn, educate our youth is critical."
Audrey Hufnagel, a student from Damariscotta, also testified in support of the measure.
"LD 1902 is an investment in the future of Maine," said Hufnagel. "It will not only help students acquire the knowledge to deal with the climate crisis, but it will also provide pathways for students who are interested in agriculture, engineering, renewable energy and other fields that are important in dealing with the climate crisis."
Blume is serving her fourth term in the Maine House of Representatives and represents House District 3, the coastal part of York. She serves on both the Environment and Natural Resources Committee and the Marine Resources Committee. She is an appointed member of the Maine Climate Council and is the chair of the Legislature's bipartisan Coastal and Climate Action Caucus.
Contact:
Jackie Merrill [Blume], c. 812-1111