California Signs Seal of Climate Literacy Into Law as US States Put Climate Education on Diplomas

California has signed into law a State Seal of Climate Literacy — a new diploma endorsement that will recognise high school students for studying climate science and applying what they learn through hands-on projects. Governor Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill 1048, authored by Senator Josh Becker, on 29 September, according to a press release from the co-sponsoring organisation Ten Strands, and the news was reported by EdSource on 30 September.

The seal will reward students who demonstrate climate knowledge and the ability to apply it through projects that respond to and spread awareness of climate change in their communities. It joins California’s existing Seals of Civic Engagement and Biliteracy as official marks of achievement on high school diplomas.

How the Seal of Climate Literacy will work

To earn the seal, students will complete coursework across subject areas plus a hands-on project that applies their learning to real-world challenges in their communities. The law also connects the programme to green career preparation, giving California schools a statewide framework for recognising projects that build skills relevant to a changing climate and the green economy.

The seal will take effect in the 2028-29 school year, after a new state education commissioner sets the criteria for awarding it and the State Board of Education approves them. Districts will decide who is eligible and whether to participate — the programme is voluntary. The legislation was co-sponsored by Ten Strands, UndauntedK12, the California State PTA and Silicon Valley Youth Climate Action, with students themselves lobbying for the bill over the past year.

“SB 1048 recognizes that students should understand the challenges we face to be ready to help solve them,” said student advocate Aahaan Jain of Silicon Valley Youth Climate Action. “The Seal also signals to colleges and future employers that we have valuable skills and real-world experience.”

Part of a growing state-by-state movement

California is not the first. Colorado approved its seal in 2024, and according to the education nonprofit Lyra Colorado, 26 of the state’s 179 school districts have now adopted it, with an estimated 1,200 students earning the endorsement so far. Colorado students must complete at least two advanced courses covering Earth’s climate systems — one of them a science class — plus an approved community project, such as a school “ozone garden” that detects ground-level pollution, built by a student working with scientists from the National Center for Atmospheric Research.

Maine adopted its own climate seal earlier this year: in a spring pilot across nine high schools, 57 seniors applied — far more than the dozen expected, according to Maine’s K-12 climate education specialist Teddy Lyman. Youth coalitions have also pushed for the policy in Hawaii and Minnesota, with varying success, reports The Hechinger Report in an analysis published on 4 October.

Supporters argue the seal gives students agency at a time of growing climate anxiety. “Where we can make the most difference is often in our local community,” said Laura Schifter, a senior fellow with the Aspen Institute’s This is Planet Ed climate education group, calling the seal “a really promising policy.” Proponents also hope the endorsement will connect students to a fast-growing green workforce.

FAKTA

• What: California’s State Seal of Climate Literacy — a diploma distinction for high school students, signed into law 29 September 2026 as Senate Bill 1048
• Author: Senator Josh Becker; signed by Governor Gavin Newsom; co-sponsored by Ten Strands, UndauntedK12, California State PTA and Silicon Valley Youth Climate Action
• Requirements: climate coursework across subjects plus a hands-on project addressing real-world challenges in the student’s community
• Timeline: takes effect in the 2028-29 school year, after criteria are set and approved; participation is voluntary for districts
• Colorado’s earlier model (2024): 26 of 179 districts adopted it; about 1,200 students earned it; two advanced courses plus a community capstone project
• Maine: adopted its own seal earlier in 2026; 57 seniors applied in a nine-school spring pilot
• Also pushing: youth coalitions in Hawaii and Minnesota; New York and New Jersey have moved separately on mandatory climate education

The movement to put climate awareness directly on diplomas is spreading state by state — and supporters say it turns climate literacy from a classroom topic into a recognised achievement. Watan News follows climate education in its climate coverage.