By CHARLOTTE BUTCHER
LAHS Senior
EcoClub Co-President
The young students at Los Alamos Public Schools deserve a better learning environment and a foreseeable future. As climate change is worsening, so is our environment around us.
The earth’s temperature has been rising at an accelerating rate. Temperatures of oceans around the world are rising, and deserts are drying. Even in our town, we have seen an increase in forest fires, higher temperatures, and raised rates of dry air.
Many believe that cars and big manufacturing industries are the main cause of climate change. In reality, schools are one of the largest public consumers of energy, producing the equivalent of 18 coal-fired power plants or 15 million cars every year (K-12 Climate Action). The result of public schools using tons of fossil fuels is detrimental to the environment, which is worsening the carbon emissions in the atmosphere. This is why many high school students at Los Alamos High School are on board with EcoClub’s resolution of electrifying LAPS.
In addition, the students who learn at LAPS every day are exposed to toxic chemicals because of the fossil fuels being burned. Burning fossil fuels in schools release pollutants that lead to early death, heart attacks, respiratory disorders, strokes, and asthma (Harvard School of Public Health). This alone worries some students and parents at the schools.
In our society, 80 percent of the power used in our world is dependent on fossil fuels but there are many opportunities to use renewable energy. Our schools can use renewable energy such as solar, hydro, and geothermal energy. As a town of many scientists, we should use the new technology provided and switch to renewable energy. Los Alamos National Laboratory is currently undergoing the process of reaching net zero by 2050. Our schools should also reach a similar goal in reducing our carbon emissions.
Around the United States, schools are going through a challenge to electrify everything in their district (Citizens Climate Lobby). Many schools have already electrified many parts of their districts such as their school buses and heating. I believe that we can start electrifying everything in our school district too. We have many resources and programs that can guide us as we switch to renewable energy. One possibility is hiring energy managers and collaborating with other schools to ease the process. The act of electrifying LAPS will provide us with better air quality, less carbon emissions, and lower energy costs.
Before we know it, climate change will be so bad that we cannot fix anything. Everyone needs to act now so my generation can receive a sustainable future and a life to live! Support our resolution and join us by signing our petition.
