A California state lawmaker wants to require public schools to teach global warming in all science classes, according to a report in the San Jose Mercury News.

The measure by Democratic state Sen. Joe Simitian would mandate that global warming be included in all future textbooks approved for California public schools.

"You can't have a science curriculum that is relevant and current if it doesn't deal with the science behind climate change," Simitian told the Mercury News. "This is a phenomenon of global importance and our kids ought to understand the science behind that phenomenon."

The state Senate approved the bill by a 26-13 vote. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has yet to weigh in on the bill, but other Republicans are not happy about the proposal, according to the Mercury News.

"I find it disturbing that this mandate to teach this theory is not accompanied by a requirement that the discussion be science-based and include a critical analysis of all sides of the subject," said Sen. Tom McClintock, according to the Mercury News.