Time For Massachusetts To Make All Schools, Green, Healthy And Carbon-Free
Time for Massachusetts to Make All Schools, Green, Healthy and Carbon-Free
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For many years, Massachusetts has held the position of being at the forefront of education in the country. However, there is one significant aspect where the state has been failing to secure a prosperous future for its children.
The threat of climate change is already impacting children and their schools, particularly in disadvantaged neighborhoods and communities that already face significant educational challenges. In a historic move, the governor of Massachusetts has recently signed a bill that acknowledges the crucial role schools play in addressing climate change through mitigation and adaptation.
A key provision of this new legislation, known as Green and Healthy Schools, requires state agencies to evaluate the condition of school buildings in Massachusetts and recommend standards to transform them into clean and healthy environments, free from fossil fuels. This is just the first step. The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and the state School Building Authority must not only adopt these standards but also commit to ensuring that all school buildings in the state adhere to them by 2050 at the latest. With the influx of one-time federal funds aimed at replacing outdated heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems in schools across the nation, state leaders have a unique opportunity to follow through with a comprehensive plan for creating environmentally friendly and healthy schools.
Schools are a crucial part of our public infrastructure, representing the second-largest form of infrastructure in the country and one of the largest energy consumers in the public sector. Each year, Massachusetts’ 1,840 schools emit approximately 880,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide. However, schools not only contribute to climate change; they are also disproportionately impacted by its effects. Boston experienced its hottest year on record in 2020, and as a result, at least 18 school districts in Massachusetts had to close or dismiss students early due to extreme heat. Even today, less than half of Boston public schools are equipped with air conditioning.
There are various innovative approaches that can help schools prepare for a future affected by climate change. One example is the implementation of green schoolyards, which provide students with healthy learning environments that enhance their social and emotional well-being while also building resilience to climate-related challenges. The presence of trees and shrubs improves air quality and reduces the "heat island" effect in urban areas with limited green spaces. Landscaped areas also help absorb rainwater, mitigating the risk of flooding.
Another tangible step towards creating healthier and carbon-free schools is the electrification of facilities. For instance, the use of heat pumps – HVAC systems powered by electricity – can achieve the same heating and cooling effects as traditional systems. By integrating rooftop solar panels to power these heat pumps, schools can decrease their reliance on fossil fuels. Such solutions also lead to cost savings for school districts. Over a 30-year period, schools that transition to net-zero energy, where they produce as much energy as they consume, can experience a 25% reduction in energy and maintenance costs compared to schools that don’t adopt these measures.
This issue is not solely about climate and health; it is also about achieving educational justice. Schools located in low-income neighborhoods are less likely to have the necessary resources to cope with extreme heat compared to buildings in affluent areas. Additionally, studies have shown that around 5% of the achievement gap between Black and Hispanic students and their White counterparts can be attributed to hot school days. Historically redlined neighborhoods often bear the brunt of extreme heat, with temperatures averaging 13 degrees higher than non-redlined areas.
When students are forced to endure uncomfortably hot and muggy classrooms and are tasked with monitoring themselves for heat-related illnesses, the responsible adults are failing them. If we refuse to take action to mitigate the effects of climate change, it is the students and communities already facing significant challenges that will suffer the most. However, closing schools during extreme weather is not a viable long-term solution. Heat is the leading cause of weather-related deaths in the United States, and socially vulnerable communities experience the worst health consequences. As heatwaves become more frequent and intense, communities must be able to rely on schools as safe and healthy havens.
The inclusion of the Green and Healthy Schools provision in this year’s state climate bill is a crucial step towards addressing these issues. By evaluating the condition of schools and establishing standards for creating environmentally friendly schools, we can ensure that taxpayer money is wisely spent on renovating existing schools and constructing new ones, creating the healthy learning environments that all children deserve.
Massachusetts continues to lead the nation in education, and it will maintain this position only if it prioritizes keeping schools open and ensuring the health of its children.
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