Thank you, Susan Seidner, for raising concerns about your fears of an ‘unfunded mandate’ attached to HR30, a resolution initiated by students requesting climate education in public high schools. I agree completely that NH continues to oppose adequate funding for education and has indeed siphoned off considerable sums for Education Freedom Account vouchers. NH is also one of only six states nationally that doesn’t fund public pre-school programs with state dollars. Nevertheless, arguing that “districts are seeing their school taxes jump due to mandates” doesn’t account for the rising costs that climate change will soon necessitate for mitigation and adaptation strategies, both economically and environmentally, especially in the areas of infrastructure and health care.

By adding a course on climate education you contend that “soon there will be no time to teach reading, writing and math.” Here, I disagree. Learning about marine biology, the chemistry of fossil fuels, the science of air, water, soil and weather and how our biosphere is impacted, the field of data collection and interpretation, and the science of biodiversity are central to all subjects in the core curriculum. Relegating this topic to an eco club or extracurricular activity pushes it to the margins. Students understand the seriousness and urgency of the endangered earth they will inherit. Let’s support their efforts. Their will should pave the way.

Ann Podlipny

Chester