The ECCLPs Undergraduate Research Internship recently hosted a dynamic Statewide Meeting , bringing together interns from across California to connect, learn, and grow in their professional development. A key highlight of the event was a Resume/CV Building Session led by graduate mentors Sandra Dansereau and Madeline Franco , who provided valuable guidance on crafting strong, impactful resumes.

During the session, interns received practical advice on how to effectively showcase their skills, experiences, and achievements. Sandra and Madeline emphasized the importance of tailoring resumes for different opportunities, using clear and concise language, and highlighting relevant research, leadership, and community engagement experiences. Interns left the session equipped with actionable strategies to refine their resumes and confidently pursue future opportunities in climate science, environmental justice, and beyond.

As ECCLPs continues to foster professional growth and career readiness, this statewide meeting served as an invaluable space for mentorship, networking, and skill-building. Stay tuned for future opportunities to engage, learn, and advance your career in environmental leadership!

This February, the UC-CSU Climate Change Literacy Internship Program hosted two powerful Fireside Chats, featuring Dr. Kelley Lê , Executive Director of Grades of Green, and Maya Cheav & Sydney Cheung from Orange County Environmental Justice (OCEJ).

Dr. Kelley Lê shared her journey as a Southeast Asian first-generation scholar, reflecting on her experiences as a science educator, instructional coach, and leader in climate literacy. She emphasized the importance of equipping students with the tools and confidence to take action, drawing from her extensive work with ECCLPs and her book, Teaching Climate Change for Grades 6-12. Her talk encouraged attendees to reimagine education as a catalyst for change, where students recognize their strengths and become agents of environmental transformation.

Maya Cheav and Sydney Cheung led a conversation on environmental and climate justice, Indigenous stewardship, and community organizing. They shared their personal experiences growing up in communities affected by environmental racism and highlighted the systemic barriers that marginalized populations face. Their discussion emphasized the power of grassroots activism, community-based research, and youth engagement in shaping policies and driving meaningful change. Through their work at OCEJ, they continue to empower young leaders to advocate for justice and a more sustainable future. These discussions offered UC-CSU interns an opportunity to learn from leaders in environmental and climate justice, gaining insights into education, advocacy, and community empowerment.

Education has the power to transform our response to climate change by embracing diverse knowledge systems and evolving pedagogical approaches. This month, we are highlighting the fifth paradigm shift for climate teaching and learning: moving from incoherent and politically influenced pedagogical practices that ignore Indigenous and community wisdom to dynamic, research-driven approaches that integrate Indigenous knowledge and other ways of knowing. This shift emphasizes the importance of locally, culturally, and linguistically relevant teaching that is action-oriented and responsive to community needs.

By recognizing the value of multigenerational and institutional wisdom alongside scientific research, this paradigm shift fosters deeper, more meaningful climate education. It encourages learning that is rooted in place, culture, and lived experience, equipping students with the tools to engage with climate challenges in ways that are both informed and impactful. Join us as we continue to explore how these paradigm shifts are shaping the future of climate education. Read more about ECCLPs' Six Paradigm Shifts for Climate Teaching and Learning on our website .

ECCLPs is excited to host a Roundtable on K-12 Climate Education in California & Nationally at SF Climate Week in collaboration with Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability, and SubjectToClimate on April 18. This special gathering will bring together funders, educators, nonprofit leaders, faculty, and thought leaders to explore systemic, scalable solutions for advancing climate education—not just as a key pillar of quality education, but as a catalyst for climate action. Stay tuned to see how the discussion will shape the future of climate education and ensure that young people are empowered to lead on climate solutions.

The Innovations in Sustainability Education (ISE) journal is a new peer-reviewed, open-access publication supported by the UC-CSU ECCLPs network. We invite submissions showcasing research and practices in environmental and climate change education for PK-12 learners. If you have insights, strategies, or research to share, we encourage you to submit your work! The Call for Papers is open until April 1, 2025 .

For more details and to submit your work, please visit our website . Please share this opportunity with colleagues who may be interested. Thank you for contributing to the future of sustainability education!

Dr. Asli Sezen-Barrie , ECCLPs faculty advisor and Stacey Nicholas Endowed Chair of Environmental and Climate Change Education at UCI , recently delivered a keynote address at USC’s Research to Impact Conference on "Beyond Awareness: Transformative Climate Change Education for a Just and Thriving Future." With a background in transdisciplinary and justice-oriented climate education, Dr. Sezen-Barrie’s work bridges research and practice to empower educators and students in tackling environmental challenges. She has also published extensively, including her latest article in Science Education , which explores transformative approaches to climate education. Read her latest research here.

Aloha circle at Kōkua Kalihi Valley Ho‘oulu ‘Āina mālama ‘ āina community work day. Photo credit: Crivir Ivee Cruz

The ECCLPs initiative is committed to fostering interdisciplinary climate literacy and justice-centered education by uplifting the knowledge and experiences of educators, researchers, and community partners. This month, we highlight Dr. Christina Kwauk , a social scientist and policy analyst whose work bridges education, gender equity, and climate action. Through her research and advocacy, she examines how climate change disproportionately affects marginalized communities—particularly women and girls—and develops strategies to integrate gender-transformative approaches into climate education.

As the Research Director at Unbounded Associates, Dr. Kwauk works on innovative solutions to equip youth with green skills, dismantle systemic barriers, and reimagine climate education through interdisciplinary methods. She has collaborated with organizations such as UNICEF and the Lumina Foundation, using research-driven tools to measure and compare the impact of climate education programs. Her approach challenges outdated educational frameworks, advocating for learner-centered, action-oriented teaching that empowers students to think critically and take meaningful action in addressing climate challenges.

Despite significant progress, Dr. Kwauk acknowledges the challenges of limited funding and the need for system-wide transformation in education . By working with ECCLPs as a Strategic Partner and Research Consultant, she hopes to contribute to culturally relevant, justice-centered climate literacy initiatives in California and beyond. Her vision for education as a driver of climate resilience aligns with ECCLPs' mission to create sustainable, equitable learning experiences. We invite educators, policymakers, and community leaders to join the conversation and help shape the future of climate education. . Explore Dr. Kwauk's full story in the ECCLPs Case Study Hub by clicking here!

"Peaks and Valleys: Key Findings on the Implementation of Environmental Literacy in California", is a vital report conducted by California Environmental Literacy Initiative (CAELI), Ten Strands, and the Lawrence Hall of Science that provides insights into the successes and challenges of integrating environmental education across California’s K-12 schools. This report highlights effective strategies, systemic barriers, and opportunities for administrators and educators to enhance environmental literacy while advancing equity and student engagement. Whether you're a school leader, teacher, or advocate, these findings offer actionable recommendations to strengthen climate and environmental education statewide. Explore the full report here and join the movement to ensure all students have access to high-quality environmental learning experiences!

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