School electrification can make a big difference in carbon emissions. Not only are school buildings contributing to the 40% of emissions from buildings in Washington State, but diesel school buses also pollute the air inside them and out. Therefore, a focus on decarbonizing schools and student transportation will have the dual benefit of tackling climate change and improving student health.
2018 GHGSeveral environmental organizations collaborated with the Seattle School Board, the administration, PTA, students and other community groups to draft a resolution that Seattle Public Schools be fossil-fuel free by 2040; this was passed in February 2021.
The EUUC Climate Team is partnering with a growing number of groups (Sierra Club, League of Women Voters, Interfaith Climate Action, Climate Reality Project, Physicians for Social Responsibility) in advocating that Snohomish County school districts adopt resolutions like Seattle’s – while recognizing that each district has unique needs and timelines. We are currently working with the Arlington, Edmonds and Everett districts.
Here are some benefits of clean energy in our schools:
- Student Health and Performance – Studies have shown that removal of fossil fuels from school heating, water heating and meal prep can reduce school days missed due to asthma, which causes more than 13 million school absences per year and disproportionately impacts low-income youth and children of color.
- Save Money – Energy efficiency measures alone can save US schools $2 billion a year. Solar and wind energy are cheaper than ever. Battery storage is rapidly improving.
- Enhance Community Resilience – Schools are one of the most common locations for emergency shelter and services. Clean electricity can help school buildings maintain power during earthquakes and disasters exacerbated by climate change.
- Expand Educational Opportunities – On-campus clean energy projects provide exciting real-world, project-based learning opportunities for classes in science, technology, engineering and math.
- Create Clean Jobs – The solar and wind industries employ 476,000 Americans and that number is growing
Our most recent conversations with administrators and school board members show that while district personnel want to decarbonize, the elephant in the room is financing. Districts are chronically underfunded, and capital bonds are notoriously difficult to pass. Our plan:
- Educate the public about the health and climate benefits of school and bus decarbonization – including district personnel, school board members, students, community groups, parent groups (PTAs, advisory groups, etc.) and legislators.
- Lobby legislators and non-profits to provide school funding specifically for decarbonization and eliminate supermajority voting requirements for bond issues.
- Work directly with school administrations to provide information and templates for resolutions along with measurable implementation plans.
Here are some benefits of clean energy in our schools:
- Student Health and Performance – Studies have shown that removal of fossil fuels from space and water heating and meal prep can reduce school days missed due to asthma, which causes more than 13 million school absences per year and disproportionately impacts low-income youth and children of color.
- Save money – Energy efficiency measures alone can save US schools $2 billion a year. Solar and wind energy are cheaper than ever. Battery storage is rapidly improving.
- Enhance Community Resilience – Schools are one of the most common locations for emergency shelter and services. Clean electricity can help school buildings maintain power during earthquakes and disasters exacerbated by climate change.
- Expand Educational Opportunities – On-campus clean energy projects provide exciting real-world, project-based learning opportunities for classes in science, technology, engineering and math.
- Create Clean Jobs – The solar and wind industries employ 476,000 Americans and that number is growing
The recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report makes it clear that we must take action at all levels to keep fossil fuels in the ground.
Our children are our future. We need to equip them with every possible tool to face the existing challenges and those that are coming. We hope you will join us.
For questions or to volunteer, please contact us.