Has your school made a New Year’s resolution? How does one consider climate change?
2023 opened with an onslaught of severe storms in California that caused devastating flooding, forced evacuations and hundreds of school closures. the entire coast. Last year, historic heat waves in the US schools are being forced to dismiss students early or close completely.
Rising temperatures and more severe storms like California’s are the result of climate change, scientists say. Here at Education Week, we explore what role schools play in contributing to greenhouse gas emissions and educate children about global warming in a special series of stories..
The US Department of Energy estimates that schools emit approximately 72 million metric tons of carbon dioxide a year.. That’s more than 8 million homes, according to a separate analysis by the advocacy group Generation180.
Students are also eager to learn more about climate change. Sixty-five percent of teenagers surveyed by the EdWeek Research Center said they wanted to learn more from their teachers about how climate change affects the future of Earth and society. Half of teens say they want to learn about the science behind climate change and what they can personally do to mitigate its effects. And almost 1 in 3 teenagers say they want to learn in school about job opportunities related to sustainability and climate change.
You don’t have to make plans yourself. We reached out to a group of seven experts in the field, including teachers, administrators, advocates, and students, and asked them: What should be the new year’s resolution schools should make to address the climate change?
Go ahead and swipe it, or let them inspire you.
To create a climate action plan
“My resolution on climate change is that each of the 80 school districts in Los Angeles County have a climate action plan in place by the end of 2023. Those plans should preferably include one -various ways districts and schools can reduce their carbon footprint, build climate resilience, and provide classroom instruction that helps prepare students for a clean economy. The Los Angeles County Office of Education will support district leaders to accelerate their climate action plan and provide tools and resources to help teachers and students build a more sustainable world. We hope to empower school leaders to actively work with their staff, community members, and state and federal partners to make a meaningful impact in the fight against the global climate crisis.
—Debra Duardo, Los Angeles County superintendent of schools
“I hope school district leaders will commit to talking about climate change and commit to working with students, parents, teachers, and school leaders to develop local climate action plans . These plans will direct the district’s action to reduce its carbon footprint, adapt and build resilience to climate impacts, and support teaching and learning on climate change and solutions. School district leaders can look to these important questions to help them start taking action.”
—Laura Schifter, senior fellow, This Is Planet Ed, an initiative of the Aspen Institute
“In 2023, all schools must make a resolution to create a (climate) resolution. The leading districts across the country have formalized their commitment to address climate change through school board resolutions. These resolutions serve as a way to institutionalize an intention to begin a multi-year journey to transform the infrastructure and improve student experiences in ways that recognize the existential threat of change. of the climate as well as the opportunity offered by a developing clean economy.
Planned districts will reduce their operating costs and be positioned to get billions in new federal incentives to support decarbonization and sustainability. Districts can look to Salt Lake City for examplesPortlandOre., and Prince George’s CountyMd.
—Jonathan Klein, the co-founder of UndauntedK-12, a national nonprofit that supports climate action in public schools
To leverage federal funding to make school buildings more sustainable
“My hope is that K-12 schools and institutions of higher education will use the Inflation Reduction Act and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill to transition to clean renewable energy and build resilience to climate impacts.. In addition to being good for the environment, leveraging available funding is a win for public health by creating healthier and more sustainable learning environments while saving on operating costs. Importantly, the development of climate solutions in schools can provide hands-on learning for students by preparing them for success in the clean economy.
—John B. King, Jr., Chancellor of the State University of New York (SUNY); 10th US Secretary of Education (Obama Administration); co-chair, This Is Planet Ed, an initiative of the Aspen Institute
To teach about climate change
“Teachers can implement lessons about climate change and relate them to any topic they are teaching! After these lessons, be sure to give students space to process this new information and discuss what they learned.”
—Louise Estella-Reid, 16, student leader, Schools for Climate Action in Santa Rosa, Calif.
“Encourage and then, support, teachers of all subjects to integrate climate change in at least one lesson. Climate change is an interdisciplinary subject that can enrich each subject by making disciplinary concepts more relevant and tangible to students. After all, our students demand to be taught about climate change because they are the generation most affected by its effects. Schools can make it their New Year’s Resolution to encourage all teachers to start small with an achievable goal—try to teach climate change in at least one of your lessons . However, teachers are already overwhelmed with everything they have to do. Suggested resources, lesson plans, and professional development will greatly assist teachers as they begin this journey to become a climate educator (see www.subjecttoclimate.org for resources to share with teachers!)”
—Margaret Wang, the co-founder and chief operating officer of SubjectToClimate, a nonprofit that provides climate change materials for all K-12 teachers
To address the mental health of students
“In the new year, take care of yourself and the community while exploring climate change in schools. Many young people report distress and anxiety when it comes to climate change. climate, and it is important to focus on mental and physical health while engaging in these topics.
“Finding time to express gratitude for the natural world, spending time in green spaces, and talking about one’s own emotions about the climate can be great ways to prioritize health in the new year. Emotions related to climate change can be large and experienced differently in different communities. It is important to validate the different emotions that can be experienced and help inspire hope for the future.”
—Lian Zeitz, the co-founder and director of programs for the Climate Mental Health Network
Climate Change Related Coverage
How Heat Affects Students: The school year is getting hotter, and many schools do not have air conditioning. See what the research says about how hot classrooms harm student learning and well-being.
What Schools Can Do to Combat Climate Change: Schools have a large carbon footprint of their own, but few districts have made strong commitments to address climate change. Advocates hope to change that.
Young People Struggle With Climate Concerns: New survey data shows that many high school students are worried, scared, and overwhelmed when they think about climate change. Schools can help them—here’s how.
Quiz: Do You Know As Much as Students Do About Climate Change?: We surveyed a nationally representative group of teenagers on their knowledge about climate change. See how you compare.
Career Education Hasn’t Changed With the Climate: While global warming may change some jobs, new jobs are being created. Are schools preparing students for this changing job market?
How Student Development Has Changed the Pandemic: School closings and lockdowns have forced many young climate activists to change their focus from protest to policy. Read why civic education and social-emotional learning experts say schools should support their efforts.
