This is Planet Ed's Laura Schifter joined The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) on September 28th for a briefing on catalyzing climate action in K-12 schools.
Public K-12 schools in the United States operate 480,000 fossil fuel-powered school buses, produce 530,000 tons of food waste, and are one of the largest public-sector energy consumers—all of which contribute to climate change. From electric buses to energy-efficient, resilient buildings, implementing climate solutions in schools can reduce greenhouse gas emissions while also creating a healthier environment for students and teachers to learn and work in. At the same time, schools need to be made more resilient to worsening climate impacts such as wildfires and extreme heat, which can disrupt school operations and impact student learning.
During this briefing, panelists discussed the federal policy levers needed to scale up climate mitigation and adaptation actions in schools to build a more sustainable, resilient, and equitable education sector.
