California Leads the Way in Low-Carbon School Meals

To be a part of the voluntary Cool Food Pledge universities commit to reducing their food-related greenhouse gas emissions by 25 percent or more by 2030. Those who sign on receive recommendations on how to help encourage diners to eat plant-based.

The Phoenix School of Discovery is an alternative school designed for students with learning and social challenges, with roughly half of students on an individualized education plan, or IEP. The school prioritizes hands-on learning, has multiple teachers in each classroom, and offers accommodations like sensory-friendly lighting and a space for “quiet lunch” for students who find the traditional cafeteria over-stimulating.

Despite being a largely divided issue, studies show that students at schools that participate in lockdown drills and training report being less fearful of school shootings over time. Currently, 95% of kindergarten through 12th-grade schools across the country participate in some form of mandatory lockdown drill or training that is designed to teach students and staff what to do if there’s an active shooter in the building.

Elementary, middle, secondary, and alternative schools are partnering with the nonprofit Elev8 Baltimore to provide enrichment programs for students after school. The nonprofit’s aim is to keep students away from danger and crime by keeping them in school buildings, so the programs are tailored to student interests at each school.

Plant-based food is now the default option at New York City’s 11 public hospitals, and the change is decreasing their greenhouse gas emissions. In fact, meat is only served upon special request.

Brigham and Women’s Faulkner Hospitals in Boston found success encouraging staff to eat more plant-based meals by emphasizing the climate benefits and not labeling foods as vegan or vegetarian.

School districts in Washington State are required to identify students experiencing homelessness and enroll them into a state program in which the district pays for the students' transportation and covers the cost of other necessities with allotted federal funds.

Norway’s electric vehicle adaptation has grown to outpace the sale of fossil-fuel cars. The country’s government accomplished this by investing millions of euros in distributing charging ports, incentivizing electric vehicle purchases, disincentivizing purchases of fossil-fuel cars, and requiring locations like parking garages have electric infrastructure available.

The nonprofit School on Wheels pairs students experiencing homelessness with tutors to help them catch up, and stay caught up, in school.

When the pandemic forced schools to cancel in-person classes, the pivot to virtual lessons had to be fast and efficient. In Chicago, three charter school networks were able to make the switch quickly, while innovating ways to address some challenges like students with limited or no internet access, devices shared between multiple siblings, and one-on-one time with pupils.