The letter below expresses the desire of Long Beach Unified School District (LBUSD) teachers to support the passage of a 100% Clean Energy Resolution at the district.

All teachers at LBUSD are welcome to add their name at the bottom. There is also space at the bottom for all to share personal experiences with these issues, which will be provided to district leadership to read and consider (anonymously, if preferred).

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Dear LBUSD School Board Members,


In 2018, the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reported that we must transition off of fossil fuels in the next 12-years to prevent catastrophic climate change all over the world. As leading figures of the Long Beach Community, we believe that the LBUSD Board of Education plays an important role in advocating for climate justice and teaching students the importance of taking climate action.

As LBUSD teachers, we want to see LBUSD achieve 100 percent clean, renewable energy in its electricity sector by 2030, and in all energy sectors, including heating, ventilation, air conditioning (HVAC), cooking, and transportation, by 2040.

We recognize that clean energy improves student health and academic performance. Student achievement can be compromised by health effects from poor ventilation, uncomfortable temperatures, inadequate lighting, mold, and noise, which puts students who already struggle in school at a particular disadvantage. Clean energy solutions — such as efficiency and heating and cooling upgrades — can simultaneously address these challenges, creating significantly better conditions for student health and learning. These upgrades can also reduce school days missed due to asthma, which causes more than 13 million school absences per year and disproportionately impacts low-income youth and children of color.

As technology improves and renewable energy becomes cheaper and more readily available, traditional non-renewable energy is growing in cost. This means that 100% clean energy would allow the school district to save money that can be reinvested in underserved students & classrooms.

Clean energy also has the opportunity to expand educational opportunities for our students. On-campus clean energy projects provide exciting real-world, project-based learning opportunities for classes in science, technology, engineering, and math. Engaged schools inspire broader community awareness of clean energy solutions, and can be integrated into workforce development programs to help our students feel prepared for future careers.

Understanding that climate change poses an immediate threat to our lives and futures as well as those of our students, we urge LBUSD to accept a 100% renewable energy plan.

Respectfully signed,

Kate Bun
Kathryn Tinsley
Laura Leaney
Julianne Beebe
Jeff Montooth
Kim Floto
Amy Montooth
Irma Magaña
Karen Dies
Elizabeth Baca
Tiffany Alexander
Dan Adler
Brian Dokko
Patrick Gillogly
Samantha V Lawrence
Christine Tram
James cooperider
Michael Gray
Sarah Rosellilli
Danielle Sawyer
Ron Smith
Adrienne Hippolyte
Ishmael Pluton
Eric Riehl