On episode 11 of the Sustainable Solutions with Planet Aid podcast, Planet Aid Communications Content Specialist, Monica Johnson, and Communications Manager Haley Chitty welcome Nile Luna, a K– 12 environmental educator from Solar One’s Green Design Lab and Christina Jones, the program manager of Planet Aid's School and Community Partnerships program.
Solar One is a nonprofit focused on education, workforce training, and solar technical services. Luna teaches students throughout New York City’s five boroughs and parts of New Jersey. The program provides specialized lessons discussing various environmental topics in diverse urban communities.
This episode explores solar and electric power as a renewable energy source, the significance of environmental education for students, and the upcoming collaboration between Planet Aid and the Green Design Lab. Read our podcast recap for the conversation highlights, or listen to the full podcast on platforms like Apple, Spotify, YouTube, or right here on the Planet Aid website.
Solar One’s K-12 Education Program, Green Design Lab,™ explores urban environmental sustainability and climate action. Luna, one of Green Design Lab’s K-12 educators talked with the Sustainable Solutions with Planet Aid podcast discussing its e-based STEAM programming and curriculum.
Luna does residencies at different schools, libraries, and other programs in New York and New Jersey. In her role, she provides hands-on learning focusing on increasing environmental knowledge around energy, water, and material science and engineering. Students' familiarity with energy concepts varies widely.
“We provide some education on climate and energy. And this is just to get kids familiar,” Luna notes.
Often, she asks basic questions like “What is energy?” and the conversations go further to explore where energy comes from. She says they also delve into other questions like "What is climate, and why is it important to be intentional about its use in our daily lives?" Some students come with advanced knowledge, while many are introduced to these ideas for the first time.
Luna finds it particularly rewarding to witness students’ excitement and comprehension grow.
“A lot of times, this is new information to students, and it’s really cool being able to do hands-on activities and seeing their brains light up as they understand how electricity works and how that impacts the environment," she says.
Looking toward the future, Luna sees the opportunity for youth to consider a path to green careers. She expounds on green career growth, saying, "The rate is projected to be higher than a lot of other careers. So when it comes to wind turbine technicians, solar installation installers, HVAC technicians, these career rates are growing really fast compared to many other careers. So we see there's going to be a big opening for green careers in the future."
Significant portions of the program focus on renewable energy, particularly solar power. Solar energy has gained popularity as a sustainable energy source due to its minimal environmental impact compared to traditional fossil fuels like coal, natural gas, and oil. The burning of fossil fuels, which has been a primary electricity source for the past few centuries, releases large amounts of carbon dioxide—a greenhouse gas contributing to global warming and climate change.
The educator explains that transitioning to renewable energy sources like solar, wind, and water can drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions, thereby mitigating climate change. This shift can reduce the human-induced effects of climate change and protect ecosystems, wildlife, and human health.
While acknowledging the significant responsibility humans bear for climate change, the educator introduces the concept of climate optimism, advocating for proactive measures to reduce greenhouse emissions. Climate optimism also offers a positive outlook and affirms that it's not a hopeless cause.
“Imagine telling someone below the age of eighteen, that all these things are doomed to happen in our future. Sea levels are rising. The earth is getting hotter, et cetera, et cetera, and this is due to human activity.” Luna states. “This can be a little bit overbearing. It can also make someone feel like, well, what can I even do about that?” she adds.
Planet Aid and Solar One share a mission to educate students about sustainability through hands-on activities. During the podcast, Planet Aid’s School and Community Programs Manager, Christina Jones discussed an upcoming collaborative lesson plan with Solar One. The lesson will be the first official environmental education venture for the launch of the Planet Aid Scholar’s Club.
The collaboration aims to instill the importance of sustainability in students from an early age, preparing them for future challenges.
"Our very first, official lesson will be in September of the 2024-2025 school year, and it is: 'What is a carbon footprint and how do you reduce it?’ So Planet Aid will be talking about all the ways you can reduce your carbon footprint, and then Solar One will be contributing, their portion about what that has to do with your energy." Jones explained.
When Luna is asked what she wants students to get from the lesson, she remarks “ I want students to know—on the aspect of climate optimism— that there are small things that you can do to make a difference. And even if you don't think it's a big thing, you can influence someone else to do it.”
She adds, “So it's not just your impact. It's the way you influence other people and the way that you interact with the environment that can change your community, your city, maybe eventually the world."
Watch the full episode of Sustainable Solutions with Planet Aid, featuring Nile Luna, and stay tuned for our monthly podcast with other sustainable leaders.
You can make your own community more sustainable, Planet Aid offers solutions including:
Finding your closest yellow donation bin
Joining Planet Aid’s School Program
Click on one of the links above to start your sustainability journey.