Florida Alters Textbooks by Downplaying Climate Change Terminology
In a move that has sparked significant concern among educators, the state of Florida is gradually expunging the phrase “climate change” from school textbooks and revising its educational standards.
In 2024, a group of authors raised alarms over Florida’s educational practices, revealing through emails that the state had pushed for modifications in science textbooks to downplay human-induced climate change. The investigation, conducted by Jessica Meszaros from WUSF and the Hechinger Report, unearthed substantial evidence of these changes.
Florida’s edition of McGraw Hill’s marine science book now refers to “changes in the environment” rather than directly acknowledging climate change. Similarly, in an environmental science text by Cengage, the term “polluting” was removed from descriptions of coal-burning power plants. Significant data, such as the World Health Organization’s findings that climate change results in at least 150,000 deaths annually, were also omitted. Other pertinent examples, like college students aiding their institutions in purchasing renewable energy, were similarly excluded.
Ken Miller, a long-time author of a renowned biology textbook, observed a shift two years prior. He stated, “The Florida Department of Education was pressuring publishers to reduce or eliminate coverage of climate change as a condition for getting on the approved list.”
In Florida, inclusion on this approved list is crucial for textbook sales to public schools. State officials requested that Miller’s publisher, Savvas Learning Company, eliminate phrases such as “caused by human activity” when referencing climate change. Publishers like Cengage and McGraw Hill defend their practices, asserting that while versions may differ by state, the content’s integrity remains intact. However, Miller expressed frustration, noting, “We don’t want our books to be affected by political considerations one way or another. What we care about is what’s going on in science.”
Though the topic of climate change remains in the textbooks, its terminology and causation are significantly downplayed. The Florida Department of Education clarified that their instructional material reviews align with state law. Two years ago, Florida’s Republican legislature removed the term “climate change” from state statutes, although this did not mandate changes in educational content. However, after Governor Ron DeSantis signed the bill, textbook edit requests soon followed.
An anonymous middle school science teacher from Central Florida voiced concerns, stating, “Now we can’t teach the kids about climate change.” Fear of backlash from parents, school boards, and state authorities prompted the teacher to remain unidentified.
A high school English teacher from the Tampa Bay area also chose anonymity, citing directives from her school leadership to avoid discussing controversial subjects. She expressed concern over a growing “culture of self-censorship” in her teaching environment.
As Florida updates its science standards for the first time in nearly two decades, climate change remains included, though apprehensions linger over potential future reductions in climate education content. Meanwhile, states like Texas have rejected textbooks focusing on human-driven climate change or suggesting policy interventions. Conversely, states such as California, New Jersey, and Hawaii are advocating for increased climate change education. This divergence may signal the emergence of a dichotomous educational landscape, where students’ climate change knowledge is contingent upon their state’s policies.
For NPR News, I’m Jessica Meszaros in Tampa.
