If yearly emissions continue to increase rapidly, models project that by the end of this century the global temperature will rise five to ten degrees warmer than it was between 1901 and 1960, potentially leading to widespread ecosystem collapse, food scarcity, extreme heat waves, and more. In order to stop such chaos, it is imperative that all individuals take considerable actions to remain environmentally-friendly. So, how does LMSD fulfill this standard? Although hardly ever talked about, LMSD is recognized as having some of the best “green schools” in the nation, being one of fourteen districts honored by the first-ever Department of Education’s Green Schools District Sustainability Award.

One primary way in which the district maintains environmental sustainability is through its advanced facilities. Both LM and Harriton High School are on track to gain the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification. This achievement requires registering the school’s sustainability goals in the U.S. Green Building Council, and putting in significant efforts to promote water efficiency, energy use, and indoor air quality. Together, the district’s two high schools conserve energy more than twenty percent above what is required in school buildings, with energy-efficient devices such as vending machines and lighting fixtures. Waterless urinals in the school bathrooms save 40,000 gallons of water per unit, per year, and at Harriton, rain water is recycled to be used in flush toilets and heating and cooling systems. 

Another essential policy contributing towards LM’s sustainability is the district’s busing program, which promotes green transportation with the use of alternative fuel. In 1995, LMSD became the first school district in Pennsylvania to use compressed natural gas (CNG) in its fleet, and today they hold the title of the largest green fleet of CNG buses on the East Coast, with 72 clean-fueled buses. This system eliminates the use of more than 165,000 gallons of conventional liquid fluid per year in LMSD, and has caused the district to be recognized as “Pennsylvania’s primary success story for alternative fuels” by the U.S. Department of Energy. 

Additionally, since 2009, LMSD has had a district-wide “green” cleaning program. This aims to lower the negative health effects of cleaning products and overall improve Indoor Environmental Quality. The program includes chemical-free cleaning supplies and technologies to lower the cost whilst still providing a clean environment for both staff and students. In 2012, the American School & University Magazine chose LMSD as one of four schools nationwide to be honored through the Green Cleaning Award for School and Universities program.

Aside from LMSD policies, another significant feature of the district’s green-school efforts are the immersive K-12 environmental science learning programs, particularly Advanced Placement Environmental Science (APES). As described by Taryn Stevens, an APES teacher at LM, “the course explores understanding the science behind environmental concepts in general, and then using that knowledge to understand the impact of environmental issues.” She remarked that when discussing important topics, like biodiversity loss and climate change, and their possible solutions, the students tend “to reflect on our own use of resources and what we can do to help with sustainability.” She hopes that some of the simple relationships they learn regarding sustainability and cleaning up after themselves—like connecting picking up trash to “‘tragedy of the commons’”—will “extend to decisions they are making out in the world and how their behavior affects the environment in a larger context.” Importantly, she believes that the course teaches students the why as to learning to do “‘sustainable’” things and “the impact those changes can have on the environment.” 

However, many of LM’s achievements and awards were gained around ten years ago, leaving many wondering, do the district’s efforts still persist today? Gabriella Gesacion ’28 states, “I think [the schools] do try to recognize [climate change], but not enough. They’ve made efforts, especially with younger students, but not really the high school, except for the water fountains and recycling bin.” Katherine Kuruvilla ’28 comments, “I feel like recycling bins are prominent in almost any area, but if they had wanted to address the ongoing climate crisis, then they would need to make conscious action to limit the usage of plastics in our school.” While both students have not yet taken APES, they are already questioning the veracity of LMSD green policies.

Just sixteen minutes from LM, Radnor High school is working towards an 100 percent clean energy campaign. This plan hopes to have the Radnor school district running on clean energy by 2030. Their presentation states, “Everything is at stake: our health, our infrastructure, and our environment.” They are focused on getting their school and transportation off of unsustainable fuel. Their journey began in 2020, and although they haven’t won any awards for their plans, they are trudging forward to create their own sustainable success. They are looking up to other surrounding school districts such as Montgomery Counties Colonial School District or Berks Counties Governor Mifflin School District who have both saved money and resources by switching to more sustainable energy. Even though Radnor has not been recognized with any awards yet, their current efforts outweigh LM’s in the sense that they seem to be continuously trying to stand up against climate change, instead of LM’s slightly-periodical changes.

So, is LMSD really making an effort to go green? Stevens puts it perfectly by saying, “I think LM is moving in the right direction with being environmentally friendly, but I think we all have opportunities to improve.” If we compare LMSD to surrounding districts in the most recent years, we haven’t made much improvement. However, this is not to say that we are not heading in the correct direction. From recycling practices to immersive environmental science learning programs, LM is clearly putting in a measurable effort to be environmentally sustainable. In order to fix the seemingly-impossible problem of climate change, every step counts—students need to continuously educate themselves on the issues and how to be a part of the solution.