NYC’s schools must not add to orange, smoky air

This week marks one year since orange, smoky skies from Canadian wildfires enveloped New York City, when for days we breathed in the worst air quality in the world. In a flash, our climate crisis became visible and visceral — an apocalyptic, amber haze attacking our health.

It was a terrifying moment for New Yorkers, adults and children alike. We were advised to stay inside to avoid inhaling toxic ash particles harmful to our lungs. Our public schools should have been safe havens for our communities, but the mayor forced them to close. Three months later, we weathered record flooding that affected schools citywide. 

Climate change is not slowing down. As New Yorkers, public school graduates, and climate advocates, we know our city is only as strong and resilient as its schools. Our future depends on the education we give New Yorkers, the working conditions we deliver for educators and staff, and the environment we provide for learning. That’s why we need Green, Healthy Schools.

One year later, we’re heading into a far-above-average storm season, and Canadian wildfire smoke is once again drifting into the U.S. But our public schools still fail to be safe, healthy learning and work environments. 

Our aging schools run on polluting fossil fuels, and in many cases, especially in disadvantaged communities, they haven’t been updated since we were kids. Poor ventilation promotes illness, school basements are susceptible to flooding in increasingly frequent and severe rains, and hot, stuffy classrooms are proven to hinder children’s learning.

Buildings account for 70% of NYC greenhouse gas emissions, and schools — one-quarter of city-owned buildings — are the most impactful target for the climate transformation we desperately need. Our landmark climate law, Local Law 97, should be keeping us on track to clean up our dirty buildings and slow our worsening climate crisis, but the city is not on pace. 

While we lag behind these mandates, our children remain vulnerable. As do the teachers who come to school early and stay late, the cafeteria workers laboring in front of gas stoves, and janitorial staff working in the basements with decades-old, oil-burning boilers. 

These 1,400 3K-12 buildings aren’t just unprepared for the future climate crisis; they are unfit for the present. 

At ALIGN, we fight for workers’ right to health and safety on the job, and a just transition to clean energy. That includes for the teachers and workers who keep our schools running smoothly. And Climate Families NYC brings together kids, parents, and caregivers to strive for a cleaner, greener future, because it’s our children’s future at stake. 

We have a solution: Green, Healthy Schools. 

Greening our schools is a win-win-win. By electrifying our public school buildings, the city can save millions on energy costs. By upgrading our ancient infrastructure, we can create thousands of green, union jobs and create healthier working conditions for school workers. By improving ventilation, we can reduce the spread of illness and remove triggers for asthma attacks while delivering clean air, no matter what color the sky is. And by prioritizing upgrades in frontline communities, we can start to repair decades of disinvestment.

Mayor Adams already committed to electrify 100 NYC public schools by 2030, but much of his plan remains unfunded. 

We have delivered 500 letters from parents and students to the mayor asking for a $600 million down payment in this year’s budget to electrify and upgrade 500 schools by 2030 and achieve zero-emissions as a school district by 2040. This will move us towards Green, Healthy Schools citywide. 

How will we pay for it? The better question is, what is the cost of inaction? Hurricane Sandy cost the city $19 billion in damages. Last year’s smoky skies had untold costs to our mental and physical health. And we know that if we don’t transition away from fossil fuels, our climate emergencies and their costs will only grow more severe. But if we think proactively, we can protect our city, save money long-term on energy and disaster repairs, and build the jobs of the future. 

The mayor made a commitment to clean up our polluting buildings. This is a way to make it happen while keeping our schools safe. Mayor Adams: you must invest in our city’s present and future by making our schools clean, resilient learning environments before it’s too late. 

Moore is the executive director of ALIGN, a climate and labor justice organization. Kamenetz is an organizer for Climate Families NYC, a parent-led climate action group. Moore and Kamenetz are leaders in the Climate Works for All coalition.