To mitigate the impacts of the climate crisis, it is critical for all sectors of society to transition off of fossil fuels and move to 100% clean, renewable sources of energy. School districts play a very important role in addressing climate change, as they are often major energy users within municipalities. That is the reason the Sierra Club Utah is partnering with Climate Parents and Utah Youth Environmental Solutions on the 100% Clean Energy School Districts Campaign. We are working with parents, students, teachers, and partners across the state to pass school board resolutions that commit districts to achieve 100% clean, renewable electricity by 2030, and to electrify heating, cooling, cooking, and transportation by 2040.
Local Impact
Last year, students from three district high schools in Salt Lake City worked in partnership with Sierra Club Utah and Climate Parents to collect 800 petition signatures from students, parents, and staff to support moving the school district to a commitment to a clean energy transition; then continued to meet with board members virtually, in light of COVID-19 school closures. Ultimately, their hard work paid off—Salt Lake City Board of Education passed a resolution committing the district to transition to 100 percent clean electricity by 2030 and a transition off-gas by 2040.
This means that nearly 25,000 students in Salt Lake City will be able to learn in buildings wholly powered by renewable energy. Now, in 2021, while they continue to support the Salt Lake students, these young activists are working with three new school districts—Granite, Davis, and Park City—to see similar results.
Coalition Spotlight:
Since students in Granite School District launched their campaign in the summer of 2020, they have collected nearly 600 community signatures in support. In addition, they’ve received letters of support from Rep. Ashlee Matthews (District 38), Stephanie Pitcher (District 40) and Gay Bennion (District 46). Students insist this agreement will help alleviate Salt Lake City’s air pollution problem, improve air quality, and save money that can be reinvested in student health and learning opportunities.
According to Aarushi Verma, a senior at Skyline High School and leader on the Granite Clean Energy Campaign, committing Granite School District to 100% clean energy paves the way for the rest of the community to follow suit, protecting not just the health of students and teachers, but the entire Valley as a whole.
"We are doing our part to tackle climate change, while increasing the safety and resiliency of our community as we rebuild from the COVID-19 crisis."
Already, more than 125 cities and five states have committed to use 100% clean, renewable energy. In Utah, 24 communities have committed to renewable energy through HB411, a bill that was passed in the 2019 state legislature to create a framework for Utah communities to achieve 100% renewable electricity by 2030. By committing to 100% renewable energy, school districts align themselves with communities throughout the state and act as a catalyst to ensure a more just and equitable future for Utahns.
The Utah Chapter is excited by the commitment students in Utah have displayed to further this effort , and serve as what can only be described as a “force multiplier.” Hear from the students in Granite and sign your name in support of 100% clean energy in Granite School District by visiting their petition and video today!