The University of California, San Diego (UCSD) has recently implemented a new curricular mandate aimed at all incoming undergraduate students, requiring them to take at least one course focusing on climate change. This initiative, known as the “Climate Change Education Requirement,” aligns with the university’s commitment to environmental education. It was officially announced in November and took effect with the start of the fall semester. As stated on UCSD’s website, prospective students who begin their studies in Fall 2024 or later must complete a course that addresses climate change as a prerequisite for earning a Bachelor’s degree, thereby underscoring the importance the institution places on this global issue.
The motivation behind this requirement stems from a desire to equip students with essential knowledge and skills to address the pressing challenge of climate change. The requirement is named the Jane Teranes Climate Change Education Requirement, reflecting a strategic effort to empower students across various disciplines. UCSD offers a diverse selection of courses that satisfy this requirement, including but not limited to “Documenting Climate Change: Past and Present,” “Politics of Environmental Change,” and “Climate Justice.” These options provide students the opportunity to explore climate change from multiple perspectives and disciplines, ranging from the sciences to the humanities, ensuring a wide-ranging educational experience.
Chancellor Pradeep Khosla highlighted UCSD’s historical contributions to climate research and education, emphasizing that the new requirement positions the university for continued leadership in addressing climate issues. This mandate aims to prepare students not only to understand climate change but also to seek meaningful solutions across various fields of study, fostering a comprehensive educational approach that connects climate literacy with students’ primary areas of academic focus.
Interestingly, many courses that fulfill the Climate Change Education Requirement also intersect with Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) educational goals. The DEI Requirement, established in 2011, encourages students to critically examine issues related to race, power, and efforts aimed at dismantling structural racism. This connection between DEI and climate change education illustrates UCSD’s commitment to interdisciplinary studies, recognizing the intertwined nature of these significant contemporary challenges facing society.
Muir College Provost Wayne Yang elaborated on how the new requirement draws upon insights gained from the DEI requirement, ensuring that it does not prolong students’ time at the university. By motivating faculty to incorporate climate change content into existing curricula, the university aims to enrich students’ educational journey without adding to their academic burden. This approach reflects a broader understanding that climate change impacts are multifaceted and require collaborative learning experiences across different academic disciplines.
Moreover, UCSD’s push towards climate education is part of a larger trend seen in other institutions, such as Columbia University, which recently hosted training sessions focused on teaching climate change in a culturally sensitive manner. This exemplifies a significant shift in education, where institutions increasingly recognize the need for comprehensive climate education, preparing future generations to tackle one of the most pressing challenges of our time. By fostering climate literacy through innovative curricula, universities are empowering students to contribute effectively to societal solutions in the ongoing battle against climate change.
