Los Angeles Unified School District is the largest energy consumer in Los Angeles County, but with a victory by a grassroots campaign, the district will soon transition to 100 percent renewable energy. An effort led by climate advocates, students, parents and teachers pushed the school district to commit to clean electricity by 2030 and all other energy needs by 2040.
This is a big step in helping Los Angeles meet is goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2045. The resolution, co-sponsored by Board Members Scott Schmerlson, Jackie Goldberg, Dr. George McKenna III, Nick Melvoin and Kelly Gonez, was passed unanimously, a press release stated.
“In the years to come, our children and grandchildren will ask us, what were you thinking? Why didn’t we do something? Why didn’t we act?,” Michael Zelniker, co-chair of the Climate Reality Project Los Angeles Chapter, said. “Well, the LAUSD board just did something. Something that will make a real difference in the lives of our students and their communities. The board voting unanimously in support of the resolution declares that our policymakers must take action to mitigate the consequences of the climate crisis. Our LAUSD board took action today that will protect the future for our children, grandchildren and the generations to come.”
In the coming months, a task force will be established consisting of district officials, parents, students, teachers and labor partners in an effort to come up with a plan in order to implement the goals of the resolution.
The resolution also calls for the school district to end the use of fossil fuels for their energy needs, which includes cooking, heating and transportation.
“This 100% Clean Energy school district commitment demonstrates what can happen when students, parents, teachers and school district leaders work to move the needle on climate,” Lisa Hoyos, director of Sierra Club’s Climate Parents program, said. “This resolution demonstrates to LAUSD’s nearly 800,000 students that the district is serious about doing its part to safeguard their futures in the era of climate change. LA Unified is the nation’s second largest, and this clean energy commitment to inspire districts across the state and country to do the same.”
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