Why Policy?

Recognizing Climate Literacy through a High School Diploma Endorsement

The push for climate education has never been more urgent, as the impacts of a changing climate have been felt across the country. From increases in wildfires along the west coast, to increases in flooding along the east coast, to hot, dry summers across the midwest, it’s no secret that the effects of a changing climate are here, and they are projected to increase over time unless immediate action is taken. 

One way to take immediate action to address the effects of climate change is through education.

While efforts to educate youth about the impacts of climate change are happening across the country, there have been fewer efforts to systematize climate education at the policy level. Experts agree that the most effective way to ensure lasting change is through policy. 

That’s why Lyra has been leading a campaign to ensure not only that climate education is accessible to all high school students in Colorado, but that they participate in hands-on experiences addressing climate change in their local communities, and that they are recognized for their work. All of this is possible through the Seal of Climate Literacy.

The Seal of Climate Literacy was codified into state law in Colorado in 2024, thanks to student advocacy and bipartisan support, making it the first state to adopt the credential. With promises of more states to follow, Colorado represents just the beginning of this movement.

Lyra is actively searching for five or more states to adopt the Seal of Climate Literacy in the 2026 legislative session, and offers our expertise and experience to a variety of stakeholders, including legislators and policy experts, school district administrators, non-profit leaders, educators, industry professionals, students, and more.

Will your state be next?

How was the Seal of Climate Literacy designed in Colorado?

In Colorado, The Seal of Climate Literacy was designed with equity as a central value. Codifying the Seal into state law ensured that it could be accessible to high school students across the state - from small rural towns to large urban metropolitan areas. It is a state law, but it is not a mandate. Local Education Providers (including school districts, charter networks, and schools) can voluntarily confer the Seal to students.

The Seal of Climate Literacy was designed to be flexible to meet the needs of Local Education Providers in every corner of the state. This means that Local Education Providers decide upon the climate literacy standards, the specific course requirements, and design their own guidelines and partnerships for experiential learning projects.

What happened after the Seal of Climate Literacy was signed into law?

Since being signed into law with bipartisan support, the Seal of Climate Literacy has been implemented in politically and geographically diverse areas across the state of Colorado. It’s in high demand from students - more than 400 students were conferred the Seal in Spring of 2025! Local Education Providers have the flexibility and autonomy to make the Seal their own, meaning that the Seal aligns with different values in different places - and that’s by design.

Additionally, Lyra is committed to ensuring the policy is implemented into schools, charter networks, and districts in Colorado. As such, Lyra launched an Implementation Fund to provide mini-grants, technical support, and in-kind materials to eliminate barriers to implementing the Seal of Climate Literacy.

What about other states?

The Seal of Climate Literacy was designed to meet the needs of Local Education Providers and students in Colorado - and it could look very different in other states depending on their desires and values.

Lyra is eager to offer our guidance to other states considering a similar initiative.

We recognize that pioneering a new initiative, especially through policy change, can be overwhelming. You’re not alone in this work. We’re here to help - every step of the way.

Spotlight on Colorado’s legislation

Key Features of Colorado’s Legislation

*Note that the below information reflects the Seal of Climate Literacy legislation in Colorado, and could vary in other places depending on their local values.

#1 Local Control: Not a mandate, but an option.

Due to the diversity of communities around the state, Colorado is a state that often values local control over state control. Therefore, the legislation was intentionally designed to reflect this value by ensuring that the Seal of Climate Literacy was not a mandate, but rather something that local education providers (LEPs) could opt into, and adapt based on the needs of their community.

#2 LEPs Lead the Charge: Flipping the script so schools are the ones in charge.

Local Education Providers have the flexibility to confer the Seal of Climate Literacy with their own climate literacy standards and qualifications for climate literacy approved courses and experiential learning projects. This ensures that schools, districts, and charter networks have autonomy. 

#3 Hands on Learning: Learning by doing - inside and outside of the classroom.

Studies show that the most impactful way to engage youth around climate issues is through hands-on learning in their own communities. Completing a project relevant to their own life experience can expand academic and professional opportunities and also support a young person’s mental health and well-being. 

#4 Equity & Accessibility: Climate education that includes everyone.

Equitable education is a hallmark of the Seal of Climate Literacy. By minimizing barriers to attainment, the Seal of Climate Literacy prioritizes access to climate literacy education for all students, regardless of their background or circumstances. 

Local control, LEP autonomy, hands-on learning, and equity and accessibility are the key features of the legislation in Colorado, but these could be flexible or adaptable based on the needs of your state. The Seal of Climate Literacy is not intended to be a one-size-fits-all policy, but a malleable one that reflects the needs of communities and centers youth.

timeline of Colorado’s legislation

High-Level Steps and Milestones

*Note that the below information reflects the Seal of Climate Literacy legislation in Colorado, and could vary in other states.

  1. It all started with an idea.

  2. We socialized the idea with key stakeholders at the grassroots and grasstops levels, and let their feedback and ideas shape it.

  3. We considered the most likely avenue for change, and decided upon state-level policy.

  4. We identified the right bill sponsors, drafted the legislation, and sought more feedback from grassroots and grasstops stakeholders.

  5. We built a coalition of support, including youth.

  6. We introduced the bill into the 2024 Legislative Session.

  7. We celebrated when the bill was signed into law with bipartisan support!

  8. We immediately started working on supporting implementation.

  9. A few days later, Durango School District, a rural district in the Southwestern corner of the state, became the first to confer the Seal to students!

  10. One year later, 420+ students across the state were conferred the Seal of Climate Literacy at their Spring Graduations.

If you are interested in more technical information about how the Seal of Climate Literacy went from an idea to a state law, feel free to reach out to us. We’d be happy to discuss this process in more depth, and offer our experience and advice for your state.

Policy resources

We are growing a body of tools and supports for policy growth. Check back in the future for more resources and updates.

  • Colorado Legislation: Learn more about the bill that established the Seal of Climate Literacy in Colorado here, including the bill text, the fiscal note, information about the bill sponsors, and more.

  • Colorado Implementation Guide: TO BE ADDED SOON!

  • Colorado Legislative Timeline: TO BE ADDED SOON!

Here to Help

Considering a new policy can be daunting. Let us help.

We offer assistance and support to help you pursue policy change and implement the Seal of Climate Literacy in your state.