Education and Climate Information
The Frog will explore The Climate Action Handbook: A Visual Guide to 100 Climate Solutions by Heidi Roop in the first 100 days of 2024
In the first `100 days of 2024 we will explore 100 climate solutions that may “empower you to evaluate, engage, and act” to address on-going climate change as an individual on your terms.
If we want to make a big impact on climate change we should do better in our schools. Over 100,000 school buildings, many of which are in disrepair and in need of upgrades. Over 480,000 buses, mostly diesel, an important target for conversion to to electric.
In the public sector, schools are large consumer of electricity which can make up a significant portion of a school district’s budget. And budgets are shrinking as publich support, especially for capital upgrades, has been degraded over decades – falling over 31% between 2008 and 2017.
To help address the deficiencies, the Department of Energy launched the Renew America’s Schools Program, a part of President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, to fund energy upgrades to lower energy costs and help the environment. Energy-efficiency improvement projects have been funded by the program “at over 90 school facilities across 22 states – directly benefitting about 74,000 students and 5,000 teachers”.
But we must do more. Adding renewable energy, electric school buses, energy efficiency, and upgraded HVAC systems for improved indoor air quality helps to address climate change in so many ways. You can support your local school boards (and watch out for anti-education, climate change denial candidates on the ballot).
Educate yourself on ballot issues and school referendums that support capital projects and become an advocate for their passage. Find like-minded folks in your community and lobby your elected officials. Search out Federal and state grants that may help your local school districts with upgrades and for purchasing electric school buses and help coordinate securing the funding.
The 2024 Renew America’s School Prize is open now, looking to award “$180 million to districts across the country engaging in strategic partnerships to build capacity and implement energy upgrades at K-12 schools, lowering energy use and costs, improving indoor air quality, and fostering healthier learning environments”.
Read the Fact Sheet on the 2024 Renew America’s Schools Prize
Next Up: Climate Action Day 91: Teach Climate Change in the Classroom
Howard Creel
#rescuethatfrog
Email: rescuethatfrog@gmail.com