Climate literacy wins from West Virginia to California

While federal leaders roll back progress on climate action, state and local leaders are moving forward – and inspiring us every day. Across the country, communities are preparing students for a changing climate and a thriving future.

In Colorado, students can graduate with a Seal of Climate Literacy on their diplomas.

In 2024, Colorado-based nonprofit Lyra, worked with state leaders and bipartisan allies to establish this landmark high school diploma endorsement that recognizes student attainment of core knowledge, skills, and mindsets for driving solutions to a changing climate. Students earn the Seal through both coursework and an experiential learning project. In 2025, more than 420 students graduated with a Seal of Climate Literacy on their diplomas, including from 10 rural and urban districts.

In Arizona, district leaders are implementing a climate action plan that embeds sustainability education in every grade.

Driven by student advocacy, the Tucson Unified School District (TUSD) passed a climate action resolution in fall 2024, mandating the creation of a comprehensive plan to cut emissions, improve campus resilience, increasing access to climate curriculum; helping the district save an estimated $4.7 million per year. In March 2024, the district released an RFP seeking consulting services to develop a Climate Action Plan. Learn more about TUSD’s climate action resolution.

In West Virginia, schools are pairing solar panels with hands-on education and workforce development.

Through Throwing Solar Shade, a program offered by Secure Solar Futures, Calhoun County Public Schools has coupled installation of solar panels with education and workforce training for students. Secure Solar Futures provides a workforce development program for students to gain exposure to solar installation, bringing clean energy education and workforce development to the next generation.

In California, education leaders released free, solutions-oriented instructional resources for grades K–12 on environmental issues.

Now more than ever, teachers need instructional resources that address climate and environmental changes, such as wildfires and extreme heat.  Ten Strands and the San Mateo County Office of Education have released Seeds to Solutions, a free, open-source K-12 curriculum that gives both teachers and students the confidence to have productive conversations around the climate crisis. Browse the units, download materials, and explore other resources here.

These stories share one thing in common: bold state and local leadership that’s moving the needle toward climate literacy and real solutions in schools.

At a time when extreme weather headlines and reversal of federal climate leadership remind us what’s at stake, young people know their futures hang in the balance – and many are already living with the impacts.

These stories and leaders give us hope. More and more communities are recognizing that every student has the right to learn about climate change and to help shape solutions.

We invite you to explore the stories, resources, and opportunities above – and to share your own local or state K-12 climate action wins with us.