"Net Zero" in Action
By Kevin Gu '23
This is a recent picture of the Himalayas taken in India, a country with severe pollution issues. Over the past 30 years, this was the first time people in India clearly saw the Himalayas. Ironically, it was due to Covid-19 which forced the lockdown in India and eased the local air pollution. Coronavirus, as an accident itself, “accidentally” brought people to consider more about our main topic today — “Net Zero.”
So what exactly is “Net Zero?” Net Zero is the concept of balancing the greenhouse gas emission level and the removal level in the atmosphere. To be more specific, Net Zero is to eliminate the burn of fossil fuels and to use renewable energy such as solar and wind as alternatives. In order to tackle this urgent issue, some leading powers have already taken actions. From the 26th UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) that took place in November 2021, more than 130 countries decided to commit to or at least considered to reach the Net Zero goal. In the conference, more than 20 percent of the 2,000 largest companies such as Apple, Microsoft, and Ford were also committed to this goal.
There are also some smaller local institutions that have already taken actions. For example, 7,300 schools across the United States have already installed solar panels. Episcopal High School, as one of the renowned private boarding high schools in the US, should serve to be a leading force to join the “Net-Zero” campaign. Even though there are already multiple small steps made by students and members of the community, the school still needs significant changes or improvements at this point. Therefore, in order to further reach this approach, Mr. Castle and the Net Zero club are considering to install solar panels on top of the new dorms and the new health center.