HARRISONBURG, VA (Rocktown Now) — James Madison University geology professor Eric Pyle says teaching the science of climate change is crucial for preparing future generations to confront the environmental challenges they will face.  

“As educators, it is our responsibility — both professional and ethical — to ensure that students grasp the science behind climate change, providing them with the tools and understanding they need to address the urgent issues shaping our planet’s future,” said Pyle, who chaired a team of educators and scientists that drafted a statement about climate science education from the National Science Teaching Association. The NSTA released the statement Monday. 

Among the key updates to the statement are: 

  • Stronger language emphasizing the need to support science educators in resisting unscientific ideas intentionally designed to mislead students. 
  • Language reaffirming NSTA’s commitment to teaching climate change as an established field of science. 
  • A call for increased support for educators in teaching evidence-based science, including approaches to understanding climate science. 
  • Recentering to focus on student-driven solutions to climate change and climate change resilience, including engineering and workforce development, reinforcing the need for sufficient time for student learning and reaffirming that climate science deserves the same rigorous approach as any other well-established field of science.