Palo Alto-area high school students could earn a new state credential for climate knowledge after the California Legislature passed a bill creating a voluntary Seal of Climate Literacy.

SB 1048, authored by State Sen. Josh Becker of Menlo Park, cleared the Senate on a 39-0 vote on Aug. 27 after passing the Assembly on Aug. 24. Gov. Gavin Newsom has until Wednesday, Sept. 30 to sign or veto the bill, according to the National Center for Science Education.

The seal would recognize students who demonstrate climate science knowledge and hands-on experience in local environmental projects. Participation by school districts is voluntary, according to Becker's office.

"The unanimous, bipartisan support for this bill shows that preparing our students for the future is something we can all get behind … California students deserve the knowledge and skills to meet that future and to lead it," Becker said in a Sept. 7 statement.

The bill defines climate literacy as understanding Earth's climate system, evaluating credible climate information, communicating about climate and making informed decisions about actions that affect it. It joins California's existing State Seal of Civic Engagement and State Seal of Biliteracy as voluntary credentials students can earn.

If signed, a state education commissioner would recommend criteria for awarding the seal by the end of 2027. The state Board of Education would then adopt final criteria.

Silicon Valley Youth Climate Action, a local nonprofit, co-sponsored the bill alongside the California State PTA, Ten Strands and UndauntedK12. Aahaan Jain, a Lynbrook High School student who co-leads the group's state advocacy team, said in the same statement that the seal "sends a powerful signal to future employers and colleges that we have valuable, marketable skills and experiences."

Colorado became the first state to adopt a similar seal in 2024. Hawaii and Minnesota considered but did not pass comparable measures.

What it means for PAUSD

Palo Alto Unified School District has not taken a public position on SB 1048. No board discussion or staff recommendation appears in district records.

The district does have infrastructure that could support the program. PAUSD hired its first sustainability manager, Karina Takemoto, during the 2025-26 school year. In June, Takemoto told the Gunn Oracle she was working to gather broad community input on the district's climate action plan.

Any opt-in decision would come against a tight fiscal backdrop. PAUSD is planning roughly $33 million in budget cuts over the next few years to close a structural deficit, with 2026-27 projected revenues of about $357.4 million against expenditures of roughly $404.6 million, according to Palo Alto Online.

The bill has broad backing. State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond endorsed SB 1048, saying it would help students become climate-informed leaders prepared for green careers.

Newsom's Wednesday, Sept. 30 deadline is the next milestone. If signed, it would likely be at least a couple of years before students could first earn the seal, once the state education commissioner recommends criteria by the end of 2027 and the state board finalizes them.