NCSE's Johnson quoted in exposé of the Switch Energy Alliance

After investigating "a group that provides free energy and environment lesson plans to teachers and students across North America," HEATED (June 24, 2026) concluded that "the Switch Energy Alliance presents itself as a neutral science education nonprofit, but is actually a gas-funded program designed to shape young people’s understanding of fossil fuels before they have the tools to recognize propaganda."

NCSE Science Education Specialist Wendy Johnson told HEATED that Switch's lesson plans, especially for Advanced Placement Environmental Science, often failed to provide evidence for their claims. Johnson was especially concerned about their discussion of carbon dioxide emissions, describing their claim that the effect of reducing such emissions "is yet to be seen" as "blatantly false."

"Switch is just one example in a long history of fossil fuel industry groups seeking to shape how the next generation perceives climate change and energy," HEATED observed. "The tactics have varied over time ... but the message has remained consistent: Fossil fuels are essential, modern, and compatible with environmental responsibility. The goal ... is to put industry-friendly messages into the mouths of people students already trust — their teachers."