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Alliance for Sustainable Communities

Lehigh Valley PA

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Climate Action – Schools

The increasingly rapid progress of global warming & climate change has created an emergency that demands dramatic action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions [GHG]. Unfortunately, we have reached the point where the tsunami is already on its way, but most school students don’t learn about this crisis in schools. The most recent IPCC assessment should make the reality of the climate catastrophe obvious to all. [Assessment Report 6: Physical Science]

We need to encourage schools to take immediate action to teach students — of all ages and in all subject areas — about global warming and the climate emergency

We need to put an end to the deadly 
business-as-usual mindset!

Bethlehem recently completed a comprehensive Climate Action Plan [CAP] that addresses strategies for mitigation and adaptation with an emphasis on climate and environmental justice. Easton is continuing earlier efforts and is engaging in a broad planning & community-engagement process this year; Allentown is exploring ways to develop and implement a CAP. In each case, the city’s EAC [Environmental Advisory Council] is a key part of the process.

The Bethlehem Area School District adopted a Climate and Sustainability Commitment in 2014, but students say they still learn almost nothing in school about global warming & the climate emergency.

  • What are the forces that create barriers to progress? – It has been obvious for at least 30 years that global warming would create unprecedented climate crises — but even today, there is far too little progress in reducing emissions.
  • A majority of students, teachers, and parents believe climate should be taught — Why aren’t schools preparing students for the future‽

This internship will focus on expanding climate education in the schools, using an interdisciplinary approach. Interns will also update and improve the teach-climate.net website, which provides examples of ways to do this within existing curriculum requirements.
Interns will work on some or all of the following tasks and will gain a strong understanding of ways to reduce GHG, develop plans for adaptation, and strengthen their project development and project management skills.

  • Research approaches used in other school districts and states
  • Explore ways to encourage schools and teachers to take immediate action
  • Update the teach-climate.net website to help teachers who have not been prepared in this area.
  • Develop a presentation for community and school audiences to share your insights and raise awareness that we are in a climate emergency and need action
  • Develop materials such as reports, opinion pieces, and/or blog posts to raise awareness on various aspects of global warming & the importance of educating students in all grade levels and subject areas emergency. 

[Updated August 2021]

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