Lead the Way… with a Cleaner Footprint

Thanks to The Nature Conservancy’s Chief Scientist, author Katharine Hayhoe for sharing this Great Idea in her Talking Climate blog; shared here verbatim.

Hayhoe writes:

‘Public schools have a big climate footprint. In the US alone, they operate nearly half a million buses and serve some 7 billion meals to students each year.

There are many ways schools can cut their carbon footprint and save money, from installing solar panels on their campuses to switching to heat pumps from gas and oil furnaces. But the majority of school districts still lack the very first step – a climate action plan. 

How can you help? Raise your voice! Attend your local school board meeting and recommend action. Talk to school leaders about the importance of addressing climate change. Need talking points? We’ve got a lot of them over at Science Moms! [See also her 6 Tips for Healthy Climate Convos and listen to her Conversation with CBC’s What on Earth.]

Encourage students to raise the issue of climate change in school, and have their classmates write letters to the school board about the need to act. The WWF-UK has developed climate change resources for secondary school students and teachers that help educate kids and empower them to take action. You can find them here.’

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P.S.: In her next blog, Hayhoe reported, ‘On schools, a new study shows that green spaces on school campuses are good for kids, the planet, and the bottom line. For every dollar invested in creating a green schoolyard in Denver, the study found, schools reaped a $3 return. This is great news to share with your local school!’

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Equip adults and empower young people to speak up to support schools and other organizations in taking climate action.

You can find resources for adults, children, and teens & tweens in our Social Justice: Climate & Sustainability and Faith Formation: Creation Care lib guides.

Encourage your congregation to lead by example: MNIPL has loads of resources for congregations ready to go solar.

Join other congregations in countering climate change with sustainable, joyful practices. See MNIPL’s growing list of Climate Justice Congregations – and become one today!