Dear Mayor Adams,

Every day, nearly 1 million young New Yorkers and over 100,000 teachers and staff attend and work in public school buildings that are unequipped for today's challenges. Just this year, over 300 school buildings were impacted in a flash flood and schools were forced to close due to poor air quality. Currently, schools rely on dirty fossil fuels for power and heating and public schools are among the worst climate polluters and largest emitters of greenhouse gases in the city. Schools next to polluting infrastructure lack proper ventilation, exposing students and staff to health risks.

After decades of disinvestment, our 100-year-old infrastructure desperately needs an upgrade. Students, teachers, staff, and our entire community deserve green, healthy, safe, and comfortable schools to learn and grow up in—regardless of zip code.

As a NYC public school student, I demand that Mayor Eric Adams and the New York City Council:

• Electrify and upgrade 500 public school buildings by 2030, prioritizing schools in environmental justice communities.

• Make NYC a zero emissions school district by 2040.

Signed, 

NYC 3K-12 and CUNY students across all 5 boroughs of New York City