[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 1389 Introduced in Senate (IS)]







110th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                S. 1389

  To authorize the National Science Foundation to establish a Climate 
                       Change Education Program.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                              May 14, 2007

  Mr. Obama (for himself, Ms. Snowe, and Mr. Bingaman) introduced the 
 following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on 
                 Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
  To authorize the National Science Foundation to establish a Climate 
                       Change Education Program.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Climate Change Education Act''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    Congress finds that--
            (1) greenhouse gases are accumulating in the atmosphere, 
        causing global temperatures to rise at a rate that poses a 
        significant threat to the economy and security of the United 
        States, to public health and welfare, and to the global 
        environment;
            (2) there is scientific consensus that human activities are 
        the major cause of atmospheric greenhouse gas accumulation;
            (3) mandatory steps will be required to slow or stop the 
        accumulation of atmospheric greenhouse gases;
            (4) atmospheric greenhouse gases can be significantly 
        reduced through conservation, by shifting to renewable energy 
        sources such as solar, wind, tidal, and geothermal, and by 
        increasing the efficiency of buildings, including domiciles, 
        and transportation, and by advances in technology;
            (5) providing clear information about global warming, in a 
        variety of forms, can increase understanding and encourage 
        individuals and communities to take action;
            (6) implementation of measures that promote energy 
        efficiency, conservation, and renewable energy will greatly 
        reduce human impact on the environment; and
            (7) informing people of new technologies and programs as 
        they become available will ensure maximum understanding and 
        maximum impact of those measures.

SEC. 3. CLIMATE CHANGE EDUCATION PROGRAM.

    (a) Establishment.--The Director of the National Science Foundation 
shall establish a Climate Change Education Program to--
            (1) broaden the understanding of climate change, possible 
        long and short-term consequences, and potential solutions;
            (2) apply the latest scientific and technological 
        discoveries to provide formal and informal learning 
        opportunities to people of all ages, including those of diverse 
        cultural and linguistic backgrounds; and
            (3) emphasize actionable information to help people 
        understand and to promote implementation of new technologies, 
        programs, and incentives related to energy conservation, 
        renewable energy, and greenhouse gas reduction.
    (b) Program Elements.--The Climate Change Education Program shall 
include--
            (1) a national information campaign to disseminate 
        information on and promote implementation of the new 
        technologies, programs, and incentives described in subsection 
        (a)(3); and
            (2) a competitive grant program to provide grants to 
        States, local municipalities, educational institutions, and 
        other organizations to--
                    (A) create informal education materials, exhibits, 
                and multimedia presentations relevant to climate change 
                and climate science;
                    (B) develop climate science kindergarten through 
                grade 12 curriculum and supplementary educational 
                materials; or
                    (C) publish climate change and climate science 
                information in print, electronic, and audio-visual 
                forms.
    (c) Report to Congress.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the Director of the 
National Science Foundation shall transmit to Congress a report that 
evaluates the scientific merits, educational effectiveness, and broader 
impacts of activities under this section.

SEC. 4. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this Act, such 
sums as may be necessary.
                                 <all>