This year marks the beginning of a major change for New Jersey students.

In summer of 2020, New Jersey became the first state in the nation to adopt a plan to incorporate climate change into K-12 academics.

With school beginning this week, that plan is now officially beginning.

In a statement, Gov. Phil Murphy said "“New Jersey has the number one public education system in the nation, and our teachers and school administrators are well equipped to prepare our future climate change leaders to take on the climate crisis.”

First lady Tammy Murphy, who crafted the initiative, said “New Jersey will be on the forefront of the climate movement, and these new standards will give our children the tools necessary to combat the effects of climate change."