Lynn Classical High School Environmental Club
What Carbon Footprint?
With an overwhelming response, the Environmental Club, spearheaded by Marine Biology teacher Mr. Winchester, had its first meeting on Tuesday, October 13, 2009. The meeting was held in the auditorium since the initial sign-up sheet had over 200 names of interested students. Over 50 attended the meeting, all offering great suggestions and a supreme concern for the environment. The club was broken down into three major focus areas: Recycling, Energy Efficiency, and Nature Conservation.
The recycling group is to focus on the continued recycling program at the school: paper, plastic, etc. While the school continues its vigilance with its paper recycling, plastic bottles remain a problem. With all the water and juice being sold in the café, there should be definite bins for plastic bottles. It was even suggested that the school be a local recycling hub for the community, as recycling bins are not always available to local residents, and the pick-up is only biweekly.
The Energy Efficiency group will focus on reducing the amount of wasted energy in the building, as well as brainstorming further ways to conserve. Lights, TVs, and computers left on all day and night is one issue the students plan to address. Also, the possibility of alternate energy sources was discussed: Solar power? Energy-saving light bulbs? Etc. The students brainstormed ideas that would not only conserve energy, but in the long term, perhaps money as well.
The Nature Conservation group plans to look outside of the building, spreading its wings into the community. There was discussion of general community pick up, and the observation and acknowledgment of our local resources. The students suggested the possibility of setting up nature walks along Lynn Classical Biology students’ beloved Salt Marsh, using placards to identify local wildlife for the entire Greater Lynn community to enjoy. The same is true of Lynn Woods—the second largest municipal park in the United States. Also, discussion was held about aiding in the preservation of the historic Lynn Waterfront.
The over-arching idea of Global Warming and Climate change, fresh on our minds because of the recent ACES Global Warming assembly, was also discussed, but boiled down to a local, tangible level. The major idea was that if we contribute on these levels, however small they might seem, we will be doing our part to help the environment, and ultimately the world as we know it. To see such an outpouring of student interest and concern is not only heartwarming, but inspiring. The student body of Lynn Classical High School is truly concerned. These students are the future of our city, of our country, of our world. Witnessing this passionate display of student activism once again affirms that this student body is not only the best in the city, but the best leaders of tomorrow.