Written by Sebastian Silver and EAC Members
Climate change is currently one of the most threatening things on our planet. Whether the impacts here are big or small, and whether you notice it or not, it’s there. Because of this, the Environmental Action Club meets to curb climate change's effects and make the student body aware of the challenges at hand. Run by students, and advised by Ms. Downs, the club meets every Tuesday after-school. Meetings are productive and also fun as we think of ways to make positive changes.
We have programs and campaigns such as Dishes on Demand so that clubs and teams can have the opportunity to use reusable plates and utensils for their team dinners and have them washed by the club instead of using disposable dishware. We also keep our Zero Waste Purchasing Guide up to date on our website, so that people can know more about great products that have less impact on the environment than traditional products (such as shampoo bars, toothpaste tablets, and dryer balls). As one member said, “None of us intentionally want to harm the environment, but we build small habits over time that can have a negative impact. With awareness and small actions, we can change systems to make them sustainable and enjoyable.” In addition to raising awareness and impacting individuals, we discuss and aim to address more systemic issues related to climate change. Last year, we were instrumental in passing Yarmouth’s climate emergency resolution which created a climate action task force, which is currently drafting a climate action plan for the town of Yarmouth.
The feeling of not caring about climate change is well understood. Sometimes it feels like a distant force causing the arctic ice caps to melt and the turtles to get plastic in their noses, but in reality it impacts all of us and our favorite places like mountains and ski slopes, the lakes and rivers, the forest and trees. The Environmental Action Club strives to create a community for anyone and everyone to be included in taking action -on both individual and systemic levels- in whatever way you can. What climate-related issues do you care about and want to see addressed at our school? Let us know through this survey!