Where We Work
PRESS RELEASE: Governor Newsom signs bill establishing California State Seal of Climate Literacy for California students
On September 29, Governor Newsom signed SB 1048, establishing a California State Seal of Climate Literacy for California students. The Seal of Climate Literacy is a diploma distinction recognizing climate knowledge, green career preparation and hands-on learning.
The Seal of Climate Literacy is Signed into Law
On September 29, Governor Newsom signed Senate Bill 1048 into law, paving the way for a California State Seal of Climate Literacy.
The Seal of Climate Literacy is on the Governor’s Desk
Senate Bill 1048 (Becker), which would create a California State Seal of Climate Literacy, passed through the legislature with strong bipartisan support and is now on Governor Newsom’s desk. He has until September 30 to sign it into law.
New Report: California’s School HVAC Landscape
A new report on the State of School HVAC in California reinforces a hard truth: the systems meant to protect our children at school from a changing climate are too often failing them.
Columbus City Schools is Saving Energy Dollars with Ground-Source Heat Pumps
Leaders from across Ohio toured Columbus City Schools’ Starling K-8 for a firsthand look at a ground-source heat pump system that has been operating for more than a decade. We hope more districts will follow in Columbus’ footsteps for the benefit of their students, their budgets, and their communities.
Seal of Climate Literacy Advances in California
Senate Bill 1048 (Becker) cleared the Assembly Education Committee with unanimous, bipartisan support, moving the California Seal of Climate Literacy one step closer to becoming law. Senator Josh Becker and Kirk Anne Taylor made the case for the Seal of Climate Literacy in a Capitol Weekly op-ed.
New resource for Maine leaders: School HVAC Modernization Funding Guide
Maine schools face aging buildings, deferred maintenance, and high energy costs. Modern HVAC can help address these challenges, but knowing which solutions to consider and how to pay for them can be a barrier to getting started. UndauntedK12 partnered with state leaders on a guide to help school leaders understand their HVAC options and navigate the funding and financing strategies available to move projects forward.
California’s Choice: Cleaner Air for Schools or Money for Utilities
State lawmakers must decide whether to unlock $194M to fix aging school HVAC systems or return it to utilities for a few dollars off monthly bills.
Opinion: Use Designed Money to Cool California Schools, Not to Enrich Utilities
Thousands of California schools are missing the HVAC systems that could protect students from that heat. That’s not just uncomfortable — it’s dangerous. Extreme heat harms learning, drives down attendance and threatens student safety.
How federal energy tax credits can bring cost-effective cooling to classrooms in Washington state
Featuring experts from Seattle Public Schools and McKinstry, Undaunted hosted a webinar to share how schools in Washington state can incorporate ground-source heat pumps for healthy, resilient, safe buildings. Watch the webinar supported by Washington’s Clean Energy Tax Credit Assistance Program.
California Senate unanimously passes the Seal of Climate Literacy
On May 19, 2026, the California State Senate passed SB 1048 (Becker) to establish a State Seal of Climate Literacy with unanimous, bipartisan support.
Exploring the role of schools in advancing Michigan’s climate goals at the annual Energy Innovation Business Innovators Conference
Michigan has ambitious climate goals. Across the state, schools, municipalities, and businesses are working to meet these goals; strengthening resilience, reducing emissions, and creating local jobs and boosting economic prosperity in the process. At the 14th annual MI Energy Innovation Business Innovators conference, we shared about the exciting initiatives schools across the Midwest are leading to make this happen.
Pennsylvania schools: Modernize your HVAC systems with ground-source heat pumps & save money!
UndauntedK12 joined the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection’s Clean Energy Opportunity Spotlight with Rose Tree Media School District Superintendent, Joe Meloche, to share how school districts are using federal tax credits to modernize HVAC systems with ground-source heat pumps.
Seal of Climate Literacy clears the Senate Appropriations Committee
Senate Bill 1048, the landmark legislation to establish a California Seal of Climate Literacy, cleared the Senate Appropriations Committee in another important step toward becoming law.
$194 Million for California School HVAC is at Risk
At a time when UndauntedK12 estimates 60,000 K-12 students in the state have lost classroom time this school year due to weather-related events, roughly $194 million sits in limbo in the CalSHAPE program.
PRESS RELEASE: Senate Panel Advances California Seal of Climate Literacy Bill
Senator Josh Becker (D–Menlo Park) today announced that SB 1048, legislation to create a California Seal of Climate Literacy, has passed the Senate Education Committee with a bipartisan vote, advancing efforts to prepare students for the challenges of a changing climate.
SB 1048 Clears the Senate Education Committee
The California State Senate Education Committee unanimously passed SB 1048 to establish a State Seal of Climate Literacy
Applications Now Open — California Youth Climate Policy Leadership Program Cohort 4
The California Youth Climate Policy Leadership Program (CYCP) is returning for its fourth year! Applications are open for student participants (incoming 9-12th graders) and adult mentors across California.
Youth Opinion: California schools are too hot. We need help from state leaders.
"With extreme weather on the rise, we need leaders to take action to make sure it’s not exhaustingly hot inside our schools and that the air is healthy for us to breathe on days when it’s smoky or smoggy."
The State Seal of Climate Literacy Act introduced by CA Senator Josh Becker
The State Seal of Climate Literacy Act (SB 1048), authored by CA Senator Josh Becker and co-sponsored by UndauntedK12, Ten Strands, and California State PTA, will establish a voluntary high school diploma distinction to recognize students who demonstrate climate literacy through coursework and hands-on, experiential learning in their communities.