By: Tracey MacDermott
NFBPWC Environment and Sustainable Development Committee Chair (2024-2026)

Fears Into Action
Young People Are Leading the Way. It’s Time to Follow Them

This opinion piece was originally published in The Greater Park Hill News, where the author is a monthly columnist. Previous columns can be found here: http://greaterparkhill.org/?s=tracey+macdermott

It seems every year we break a new heat record; last year we temporarily hit the 1.5°C benchmark that scientists have been warning us about. Newly reinstalled President Trump has vowed to once again exit the Paris Agreement. Horrific fires last month destroyed entire neighborhoods of Los Angeles.

All news seems grim. World leaders have not risen to the challenge. We are still dealing with deniers despite the piling evidence of the continuing climate crisis.

In moments of despair, putting fears into action can help create a brighter future. I’m heartened that many of you send me emails after reading this column each month, asking what you can do. While actions at home may seem inconsequential, the reality is that many of us collectively making small changes do make a difference and drive sustaining results. Keep making those changes.

We know that solutions occur when people come together and put their values into action. And young people deserve credit for taking action. Consider the youth-led initiative, Green Schools Campaign. As described by the Climate Reality Project, this campaign “centers developing leadership, advocacy, and grassroots organizing of young people to spearhead initiatives to transition their schools and communities to 100 percent clean energy.”

The program grew out of the work of a team of people from Los Angeles who led the second largest school district in the United States to 100 percent clean renewable energy.

It’s worth noting that Palisades Charter High School, which is part of the district and whose students had persuaded their school to commit to 100 percent renewable energy by 2025, was damaged in the fires that ravaged Los Angeles last month. It’s further worth noting those fires were fueled by a condition scientists calling hydroclimate whiplash — the result of extreme weather shifts that has intensified due to global warming.

Here in Denver, 47 school buildings currently have solar panels. Combined they produce about 10 percent of the electricity used by Denver Public Schools. The district has a five-year goal of generating 65 percent of its own electricity. In addition, the district is looking to electrify 80 percent of the heating load for 10 buildings within five years. Denver School of the Arts in Park Hill is one of those 47 schools.

DPS students are driving the efforts. Four years ago, students, pushing to prioritize climate action, gathered nearly 4,000 petition signatures, met with DPS board members and attended public meetings to make their collective voice heard. Passionate students, along with the district’s Sustainability Executive Director LeeAnn Kittle, are pushing to make great gains towards sustainability, including expanding rooftop solar systems and focusing on water conservation.

How can you help our kids? Contact your neighborhood  school  and  ask  about  their sustainability programs. Find out what the students are interested in and how you and others in your community can help support them and their ideas. Let’s help lift them up to convert their schools to function using 100 percent clean energy.

Locally, the Climate Reality Project has a Denver Chapter working on the Green Schools Campaign. If you want to get involved, please reach out to Greenschoolscolorado@gmail.com.

Looking around our neighborhood I see more and more solar throughout our neighborhood. Greater Park Hill Community’s headquarters at 2823 Fairfax St. has installed solar panels and converted its building to 100 percent electric. Let’s explore together other ways to further advance Park Hill to a renewable future.

The challenge of solving the climate crisis is so immense that it sometimes seems impossible. However, I am inspired by young people whose futures are at stake. They are developing innovative programs and showing up at the state Capitol to fight. Their indomitable spirits keep so many of us engaged and working along with them.

Our children are leading the way. We just need to follow.

Tracey MacDermott

NFBPWC Environment and Sustainable Development Committee Chair (2024-2026)