Principal Victoria's Notes
Some thoughts for the starting school year
Quiz Question!
In March and September of 2019, thousands of Portland students attended walk-outs at school. They were demanding that Portland Public Schools create better climate policy. What did the actions achieve?
Read to the end of the newsletter to reveal the answer!
This year’s climate projects are approved! Each student team has $10,000 and a whole team of adults to make their vision a reality. Here are a few things for students and team leaders to keep in mind as they get started on projects:
Dream Big! Our wildest ideas are usually some of the best ones. Come up with all your most exciting ideas…and then bring them down to reality. Consider which parts of your vision you can complete with the resources you have right now.
Ask for help! Community groups, other students, your teachers, and PPS staff are here to support you. Don’t hesitate to ask for help when you need it.
There is a bright future for you! Remember that with the right tools and the right team, you can make a difference. Climate change is a big problem, but we are not doomed.
What kinds of environmental jobs are you most interested in?
When we throw away our food scraps, where do they end up? Usually, they turn up at a landfill with all our other trash. But the story isn’t over! Food scraps are made of natural materials. That means they contain carbon.
In a landfill, all that carbon gets squished down and mixes with hydrogen from the rain. Over time, that process emits Methane Gas (Ch4). Methane gas is a powerful greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change. It is about 28 times more powerful than carbon in warming the atmosphere! All PPS food scraps are always composted. Learn more about PPS policy here!
Every year in the United States, the methane emissions from food waste in landfills are equivalent to the emissions of about 50 million gas cars. So…what can you do?
Sustainability Tip!
At home, you can ask your parents about getting a compost bin. This is a safe way to dispose of your food waste. You can also re-use scraps for other foods. Did you know you can pickle watermelon rinds and make broth out of vegetable scraps?
Go further…
Not all our food waste comes from homes. About 58% of our wasted food is from businesses, farms, and manufacturers. Learn more about food waste policy in Oregon. There are lots of tools ordinary people have to change those policies. Here are a few ideas to get you started!
Volunteer with local watchdog organizations like OSPIRG. These organizations keep the lawmakers in-check. They ensure that the government follows the law. They also push the government to make the most sustainable regulations possible.
Contact your representatives. Our government officials are our employees. They make laws to keep citizens happy and safe. That makes us the boss! But they need to know what citizens need and care about to make the right decisions. Try to find your representative's contact information here. Send them an email to let them know you care about how food waste impacts our environment!
Testify in-person. The Portland City Council has regular testimony meetings where citizens can share their thoughts and feelings. Visit their website to learn more about how to testify. If that sounds scary, you can also talk to councilors one-on-one.
In Portland, student action created the Climate Crisis Response Policy in 2022. This policy does a few important things. First, it makes sure the district minimizes its carbon impact. It also prepares for climate disasters. Finally, it educates students on climate justice. Learn more about PPS’ progress in implementing the policy here!
Save The Date!
Don’t forget to add these upcoming events to your calendar!
Our Future Guest Speaker Workshops
Tuesday, Jan 20 7-8 pm Indigenous Wisdom and Climate Action
Tuesday, Feb 24 7-8 pm Environmental and Climate Justice Panel
Tuesday, Mar 17 7-8 pm Emotional Wellbeing in the Climate Crisis
Tuesday, Apr 14 7-8 pm Food Waste: Reduction and Recovery in Oregon
Sign up for free here!
What Would You Like To See?
This newsletter is for students, and partially by students! Use the QR code to tell us what you’d like to see. You can also click here! You can also share any burning sustainability questions or ideas for newsletter segments!
Learn More!
Click the links below to learn a little more about the topics discussed in this newsletter!
Food Waste