The Initiative

  The Attorney General of California has prepared the following circulating title and summary of the chief purpose and points of the proposed measure:

(XX-XXXX.) EDUCATION. REQUIRES EARTH SUSTAINABILITY TRAINING IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS. INITIATIVE STATUTE.

Requires public school students to receive thirty hours of education, training, and hands on learning relating to sustainability or the care of the earth, every two years. Summary of estimate by Legislative Analysis and Director of Finance of fiscal impact on state and local governments: 

(To be determined. Potentially low to no cost to schools as it is the intent of this measure does not result in the creation of additional courses of instruction for pupils, nor in any additional costs to a public school by replacing instructional hours otherwise intended for science or other topics.)

        To the Honorable Secretary of State of California

We, the undersigned, registered, qualified voters of California, residents of Marin County, hereby propose amendments to the education code, relating to environmental education, and petition the Secretary of State to submit the same to the voters of California for their adoption or rejection at the next succeeding general election or at any special statewide election held prior to that general election or as otherwise provided by law. The proposed statutory amendments read as follows:

     SECTION 1. This measure shall be known, and maybe cited, as the 

Sustainable, Healthy Earth Act.

     SEC. 2. The people of the state of California find and declare all of the following: 

     (a) Our means of living are generating an extraordinary degree of damage to our planet through pollution, global warming, overpopulation, overconsumption, deforestation, extinction of species and destruction of our ecosystems.

     (b) The deterioration of our ecosystems and biodiversity are associated with worldwide health problems including malnutrition and infectious diseases.

     (c) Healthy ecosystems and environments are necessary to the survival of humans and other organisms.

     (d) For a sustainable, healthy Earth, it is imperative for us to continually update and refresh our knowledge and skills of sustainability.

     SEC. 3. The people of the state of California find and declare that the purpose of this measure is to do all of the following:

     (a) Make teachers and pupils a part of the solution to Earth’s environmental and ecological crisis and help make the course corrections necessary to address the crisis.

     (b) Promote sustainable patterns of consumption and production.

     (c) Take steps to move away from fossil fuels, better use resources, protect and restore Earth's ecosystems, reduce consumption of animal products, stabilize the human population, and more.

     (d) Ensure the protection of the environment and the promotion of inclusive social and economic development in harmony with nature.

     (e) Provide education that encourages changes in knowledge, skills, values, and attitudes to enable a more sustainable and just society for all.

     SEC. 4. It is the intent of the People of the State of California that this measure not result in the creation of additional courses of instruction for pupils, nor in any additional costs to a public school. Rather, it is the intent of the People of the State of California that a public school incorporate the requirements of this measure into its existing practices using existing or cost-free resources.

     SEC. 5. Chapter 2.5 (commencing with Section 51300) is added to part 28 of Division 4 of Title 2 of the Education Code, to read:

Chapter 2.5. The Sustainable, Healthy Earth Act

     51300. (a) A public school shall provide each pupil with 30-hours of healthy Earth sustainability education and best practices training every two years.

     (b) Healthy Earth sustainability education and best practices training provided to a pupil shall enhance the knowledge of the pupil to a level beyond that which the pupil previously learned.

     (c) Healthy Earth sustainability education and best practices training shall do both of the following:

     (1) Include topics that are related to the scientific knowledge or technical skills required for the practice of Earth sustainability, or related to the direct or indirect care of the Earth.

     (2) Incorporate experiential and hands-on learning.

     (d) Healthy Earth sustainability education and best practices training shall not exceed eight hours per day.

     (e) For purposes of this section, “public school” means a school district, County office of education, charter school, or state special school maintaining kindergarten or any of grades one 1 to 12, inclusive.