Schools should include more environmental education
As the average global temperature continues to rise and with the climate continuing to change, it is time we adopt a bottom-up approach to combat these environmental issues, focusing on local communities and state governments as opposed to the federal government to combat climate change. One of the ways that states have tried to mitigate climate change is through the way people view renewable energy resources such as solar energy. Many schools already have incorporated environmental education lesson plans into their curriculums in order to have kids grow up learning more about the environment and how we can live sustainably in our fast-paced world. Having grown up in Sussex County and having a deep appreciation for the beautiful environment that I lived in, I wish my school’s education included more ways for us to learn about our environment and how the Earth’s resources, like the sun, can be used as an primary source of energy. I believe such an education is long-past due in schools in our county and by incorporating such environmental education lesson plans into a school’s curriculum, we will have the ground support necessary to effectively battle climate change.
According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, New Jersey has one of the highest average electrical prices in the nation, coming in around $3,065 for the average household. New Jersey also spends 28 percent more than the national average on electricity for residential homes and 56 percent more for industry. While renewable energy resources are becoming more abundant in the state, an overwhelming majority of our electricity is generated from nuclear energy and natural gas. Not only are these sources of energy very expensive, but it is also very taxing on the environment.
According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, New Jersey’s Natural Gas Expenditures for electric power in 2013 totaled $941,000,000 while in 2009 New Jersey’s in-state and imported electricity generated 24 million metric tons of CO2. Solar energy, on the other hand, is not only just a green energy source, meaning that it gives off no contamination and emits no greenhouse gases or CO2, but it also ends up paying for itself over time because one is able to sell back excess electricity back to the power grid. Although the initial cost of by solar panels is expensive, they do eventually pay for themselves overtime and when they do, a person will have reduced costs in energy bills. Solar panels are also low maintenance as they don’t require any moving parts and have a life span of 20-25 years. There are even ways to store the sun’s energy in batteries so that one can have it when the sun is down or even on cloudy days.
One thing, however, that prevents people from supporting solar energy expenditures is that it is relatively misunderstood. Incorporating an environmental education lesson plan into one’s curriculum, however, can change that all. The Texas Solar for Schools Program, created by the Texas State Energy Conservation Office, has provided “many small-scale solar energy systems and complimentary educational tools to school districts across the state. The schools save energy, thus save money on their electric bills, and the students learn first-hand about renewable energy and energy conservation.”
The United States Department of Energy offers lesson plans for grades K-12 that educate students about renewable energy, energy efficiency, and science activities in their curricula. Students end up learning the advantages of solar energy and how they can bring new ideas and innovations to the growing technology. Lesson plans can include showing students practical and fun ways in which solar energy can be used whether it be cooking in a solar oven or building and racing solar powered cars. Students of every age will learn about solar panels from the science behind how they work to the steps taken to manufacture them. They also will learn about the multiple career options in this field from the demand for solar panel engineers and technicians, scientists who conduct the research and lab experiments, and even environmental policy makers.
I believe that when educated at a young age, students will be able to develop a comprehensive understanding of the environment and learn of sustainable ways to live their lives over time. Children have learned to become stewards of the environment through these lesson plans and their appreciation and understanding of solar energy will change the way we as a society view it in the future.