Sustainability & Climate Justice
April 2025
Ida. B Wells Taking Action to Change Legislation
This article collaboratively written by students on the Ida B. Wells Eco Action Group: Daylin Bratland, Evelyn Kirtley Filipo, Connor Kale, Emma Lopez, Katie Potts, and Wren Zitzelberger.
When students in the Eco-Action and Clean Air clubs discovered delays in their PCEF grant plan to build a solar-powered charging station, they decided to look for opportunities to take action on reducing carbon emissions and creating a more sustainable future for Portland.
The Eco-Action and Clean Air clubs are Ida B. Wells’ student-led groups that partner with nonprofits called Verde and Neighbors for Clean Air in support of Parkrose School’s fight against the Prologis Distribution Center being built in their community.
By presenting to classrooms filled with peers to garner support, they gathered more than 100 postcards calling for legislation to prioritize community needs over company profits. Students wrote messages of support for The Healthy Communities Act, which would require companies to complete an environmental impact statement before building near schools, hospitals, and elderly care facilities.
They also encouraged legislators to oppose efforts to delay and prohibit the Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) regulations, which aim to limit diesel pollution. Way back in 2019, Oregon passed stricter diesel emissions standards. It has been six years and companies are still convincing legislators to give them loopholes. We are so behind our neighboring states on air quality regulations, AND our state says we’re trying to get to net 0 carbon emissions, but delaying ACT regulations would make this impossible.
“There are no second chances or plan B for our planet, we cannot turn a blind eye to this crime anymore,” said Daylin Bratland, EcoAction Club Head Director of Marketing and Design. Our neighboring states have doubled the amount of electric trucks used in their State; in comparison, Oregon is far behind. EcoAction Club Director Emma Lopez said, “I feel that it’s very important for students to be able to have opportunities to speak to their representatives, know who is representing them and how the process of getting a bill through committee works. I think our group got that learning experience when we went to Salem.”
Students have learned new ways to involve their school in projects relating to climate justice. “I think one of the main things that we’ve learned from this experience is how much of an impact we actually have if we stand together,” said EcoAction Club Head Researcher, Wren Zitzelberger. Ironically, the biggest setbacks can lead to the biggest victories. The delay in the implementation of their project created the time to take action in Salem.
Sitton Elementary Waste Audit
We are delighted to circle back to a school story from our November 2024 Newsletter with more updates from Sitton Elementary.
Each year Sitton gathers students to take a look at the UN Sustainable Development Goals and they vote on an area they’d like to focus on as a community for the year.
This year Sitton chose to focus on Zero Hunger, and through that process noticed their food waste with heavy hearts and a desire for change. Where we last left off in November, they were hoping to introduce composting to reduce food waste.
Check out where they are now!
- Sitton students were able to introduce composing along with peer to peer education about food waste reduction and waste sorting.
- In January 2025, Sitton conducted a waste audit and students had a fun time sharing the results with their peers one day during lunches.
- With the introduction of food waste collection, Sitton drastically reduced their landfill waste, successfully diverting food waste.
- Since the beginning of the school year, they are now preventing over 65 pounds of waste from entering the landfill everyday!
Congratulations Falcons, you’re awesome! And big kudos and gratitude to every student and adult who helped make this happen.
Making Earth Cool/Sunnyside Earth Day Event April 26
Location: Sunnyside Schoolyard, 3421 SE Salmon St.
Event start time: 11am
Parade: 12:30pm, for as long as it takes to march 1 mile
Paraders can carry signs or banners for Earth Day and dress up as their favorite Earthly being or climate cause! Get creative and come enjoy this amazing celebration of life on Earth!
Walk/Bike to School for Earth Day
Earth Day is a time to reflect on the incredible planet we call home and our responsibility to protect it. This year, let's celebrate Earth Day, April 22nd, 2025, in a meaningful way by making a positive impact on our environment. How? By choosing to walk or roll for Earth Day!
Outdoor School High School Counselors Needed!
Outdoor School couldn't happen without amazing high school volunteers who act as counselors and mentors to 6th grade campers. Volunteering for Outdoor School is an incredible way to gain job skills, get outside, complete volunteer hours, and learn about environmental education.
If you or a high schooler you know would be a good fit, send them to MESD Outdoor School to register and learn more.
PCEF Student-Led Initiatives Resource Share Event
This gathering will bring together students from across PCEF’s Student Led Initiative projects to collaborate, share their project experiences, and help shape our Fall Student Showcase event. Students will explore youth advocacy with community-based organizations and City of Portland partners and talk about making this program better next year!
The event is only open to students, teachers, and community partners, but we look forward to sharing more about it next month! If you are currently working on a student led climate project and you would like to attend this event, email us at studentclimateprojects@pps.net.
PPS Climate Justice Youth Advisory Climate Club Connections Event
The PPS Climate Justice Youth Advisory is holding a climate connections event on April 13th from 12:00 - 2:00pm at Grant High School. Food will be provided to all!
Learn about the work that other student groups are doing and engage in community building activities! All PPS climate clubs, classes, and individual students are welcome. Clubs are asked to do a small presentation on their past, present, and future activities! If your club is participating in the PCEF Student-Led Climate Projects Program, this is a great opportunity to connect and share about the project process. If you're interested, please fill out this interest form.
Eco’s Global Live Stream Assemblies for Earth Week
Attention all ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CLASSROOMS:
Check out Let’s Go Eco’s Global Live Stream Assemblies for Earth Week. Honestly, we think this is awesome.
Mr. Eco has a decade of experience combining rap and engaging environmental education for young audiences. There are options to join live or get recordings to use at a time that works for you. It's fun, high energy, and memorable.
Check out this link for more information https://letsgoeco.live/
Earth Film Submissions
Making Earth Cool and NW Documentary are excited to invite you to create a short film for our Earth Day Film Shorts happening at the Tomorrow Theater on April 24th, 2025.
The favorite film will win a prize of $1,000! Learn more at www.makingearthcool.com/earthshorts
The Climate Mental Health Network's Gen Z Zine
This is a wonderful resource made by and for Gen Z all about navigating Climate Emotions and taking Action. It contains art, poetry, journal and activity prompts, self-care tips, a climate emotions wheel, and inspiring and authentic stories from the CMHN’s Gen Z Advisors.
At the link above, you’ll have a chance to download the Gen Z Zine for free and you can watch the recording of the CMHN virtual launch event for the zine, where contributors elaborate on their sections, passions, their activism and climate mental health journeys, and the process of creating the zine collaboratively. While the content is created for a Gen Z audience, many others will find this resource helpful for understanding Gen Z climate perspectives and navigating their own climate emotions and action. Enjoy!