UC San Diego Mandates Climate Change Courses

The University of California San Diego (UCSD) has implemented a new requirement for all incoming freshmen to complete at least one climate change course as part of their degree program, starting in Fall 2024. This initiative, named the Jane Teranes Climate Change Education Requirement, marks a significant step as it is the first of its kind in a major public university in the U.S. The courses, which must include at least 30% content focused on climate change, encompass various subjects, allowing students from all disciplines to engage with the topic. UCSD officials, including Chancellor Pradeep K. Khosla and Professor Wayne Yang, emphasized the importance of equipping students with knowledge and solutions to address climate change challenges. The requirement aims to integrate climate education without increasing the overall workload for students. Additionally, the initiative has garnered attention and support from media outlets and faculty, highlighting a growing recognition of the necessity of climate education in higher learning.