US Moves Toward Teaching Climate Change; Britain Does Opposite

Guidelines for US science educators in at least 40 states will emphasize climate change and the human contribution in middle school and high school. Political opposition to the notion of human influence over a warming climate is intense in the US. In the United Kingdom, administrators have urged educators to avoid the topic for students under age 14, and top scientists even suggest that students should understand the science of climate before delving into politics. That has spurred a backlash among some teachers and students, reports Christoper F. Schuetze in a New York Times blog. One young woman opposed such limits for science education, pointing out that younger generations must contend with the effects of climate change and comprehensive education is required. In Europe and the United States, individual teachers have great flexibility to introduce new topics and lessons, and debate will continue inside and outside the classrooms. – YaleGlobal