Michael Zelniker, Climate Reality Project Los Angeles Chapter, 323-481-3962 aionpic@gmail.com
Lisa Hoyos, Sierra Club's Climate Parents, 510-282-0440 lisa.hoyos@sierraclub.org
LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- After many months of a diverse, grassroots campaign effort driven by climate advocates, students, parents and teachers--that involved collaboration with school board leaders-- LA Unified School District committed to transition to 100% clean electricity by 2030, and off of fossil fuels for all their energy needs including heating, cooking and transportation by 2040. LA unified School District is the largest energy consumer in the County of Los Angeles. Transitioning to 100% clean renewable energy will be a huge step in helping the City and County of LA meet its goal of being carbon neutral by 2045.
Co-sponsored by Board Members Scott Schmerlson, Jackie Goldberg, Dr. George McKenna III, Nick Melvoin and Kelly Gonez, the resolution passed unanimously. The grassroots campaign that helped secure this outcome was led by students, parents, teachers and climate advocates.
In January, work will begin to establish a task force comprised of district officials, parents, students, teachers and labor partners. This body will be charged with identifying pathways to implement the goals of the resolution.
Key advocates involved in securing this outcome stated the following:
"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? 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." Michael Zelniker Co-Chair, Climate Reality Project Los Angeles Chapter
"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. 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." Lisa Hoyos, Director, Sierra Club's Climate Parents program
"LAUSD getting its energy from 100% clean renewable sources will be a turning point for many of us and the generations to come. I will know that the place I go to everyday to study and learn is committed to a better future and will not be contributing to making the climate crisis worse." Nyzell Guzman, student, John Marshall High School
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3.5 million members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.