The June 2024 heat wave, enhanced by climate change, had a significant impact on students in eleven schools without air conditioning in our school board. These eleven schools should have top priority for retrofitting to install heat pumps to address student wellbeing during heat waves in the short-term and climate change in the long term.
As citizens within the Upper Grand District School Board (UGDSB), we call on our School Board Trustees to pass a resolution to eliminate fossil fuel heating in all new and existing Board facilities to address climate change. Learn more.
This action will set an inspirational example for our students. Many feel overwhelmed with thoughts of the increasing impacts from our warming climate. Taking clear steps to eliminate fossil fuel use provides a much-needed hopeful outlook for all youth.
To eliminate fossil fuel heating, we expect:
- Heating systems of future new schools and Board facilities to not use fossil fuels,
- Heating systems of existing schools and Board facilities to be retrofitted off fossil fuels,
- A plan with annual public reporting on progress.