Greetings! Happy Vernal Equinox (aka 1st day of Spring).
Late last year we wrote about Drawdown – The Most Comprehensive Plan ever Proposed to Reverse Global Warming – highlighting the top 100 solutions to reducing greenhouse gases (GHG) and actually reversing global warming. Then, last month in nearby Healdsburg, we listened to author Paul Hawken share about how Drawdown came together, enlisting young scientists from around the world, and focusing on solutions. Very inspiring!
Now, I’m excited to share about the Drawdown Eco Challenge which runs from April 4-25, 2018. This is something that you and your students can explore and be part of this next month. It’s also a way to become more familiar with Drawdown and all the different solutions that can help reduce GHGs and together reverse global warming.
I’ve created Team Solar Schoolhouse and encouraging you and your students (friends & family too) to join Team Solar Schoolhouse when you set up a personal profile on the Drawdown EcoChallenge website. There are a wide variety of challenges to explore and commit to action, from Food, to Transportation, Clean Energy, Women & Girls, Buildings, Materials. Anyone motivated to Spring into Action can join Team Solar Schoolhouse for the Drawdown EcoChallenge.
Win a cool Tshirt with the “Living the Solar Life” design….

Here are some ideas for actions to consider.
1. Ask your School Board to adopt a Climate Resolution. Here in Sonoma County (CA) ~ 7 school districts have passed resolutions in the past few months, thanks to the encouragement of Schools for Climate Action (SCA). I’ve helped with one of these campaigns and was amazed at how receptive the school board was. SCA has several templates for resolutions, and recommended steps to take. Several resolutions also include Climate Literacy component, which the Drawdown resource can help fulfill.
2. Conduct a solar project in your classroom. explore different applications that are using solar energy in the world today. Teach someone else about solar energy. Example – in Glendale, CA, teachers, students, and myself will host the Solar Discovery Faire on April 14th. sharing solar energy activities with the community, and also solar rooftop options for homes. hosted at a school with it’s own solar array. This is all about experiencing and then sharing. It can be replicated at any scale.
3. Food waste – is a big source of greenhouse gases. learn why it’s important to recycle/compost food waste instead of putting it in a landfill. Research composting options with your own local waste company, then share what you find with others.
4. Transportation… is a big source of GHGs. Explore walk, roll, carpool options for getting to and from school or work. Learn about Electric Vehicles(EV), host a EV rally to share options with the community. We just finished a 1500 mi road trip on the west coast in an all-electric vehicle (Bolt) (story to follow). It worked and we were able to charge up along the way. zero emissions!
There’s lots more you can do…..check out the Challenges on the Drawdown EcoChallenge website, and commit to several actions. You can also read more information at the Solutions Page on Project Drawdown. Then share with others.
Step ONE is to JOIN Team Solar Schoolhouse at Drawdown EcoChallenge.
Looking forward,
Tor
