President Obama continues to make history with his proposed 2011 Education Budget, and environmental allies, like the 50 million member strong No Child Left Inside coalition, are cheering. For the first time ever, a federal education budget includes funding for environmental education.The environmental focus can be found in the budget sub-section called "A Well-Rounded Education". It proposes $265 million dollars (a 17% increase) to support five subjects listed as vital to a complete curriculum. Environmental literacy is one of them, so schools may finally receive funding to educate kids on the impact of greenhouse gases, what happens to trash thrown on the ground after it rains, and how to recycle.Although the amount budgeted isn't the end-all be-all of funding, legislators committed to environmental education like Rhode Island Senator Jack Reed, are giving President Obama credit for putting the issue on the table. "This budget takes an important step toward boosting environmental education in the classroom and giving more kids the opportunity to get out and learn about the natural world around them," says Reed.Of course, the 2011 Budget still needs to be approved by Congress, meaning the historic funding environmentalists are so excited about may end up getting the axe.Photo (cc) by Flickr user cngodlesThis post originally appeared on www.refresheverything.com, as part of GOOD's collaboration with the Pepsi Refresh Project, a catalyst for world-changing ideas. Find out more about the Refresh campaign, or to submit your own idea today.
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