As the importance of fixing the issues of climate change in the world increases, it becomes imperative that Belmont Hill implement new sustainable practices. With climate change posing an urgent challenge, schools across the country are rethinking their energy strategies, and Belmont Hill has an opportunity to lead chiefly by adopting sustainable power alternatives like solar or geothermal energy. It is in the school’s best interest to pursue sustainability and adopt the necessary measures that come with it. However, how to do so still remains a question, one this article looks to answer.
The types of green energy best fit for Belmont Hill’s campus are solar power and geothermal energy. Today, the most accessible and widely used form of renewable energy for schools is solar energy. In 2021, Belmont Hill installed a solar array on the roof of the Science building as part of a student Independent Study project, adding to the 780 panels already installed on top of the Jordan Athletic Center in 2012. However, the lease on these panels expires next year, and Belmont Hill is currently evaluating how they should proceed in the future. According to Mr. Sullivan – coordinator of sustainability on campus – the output of energy that the panels provide is nearly 50% of all the energy used by the athletic building, and the installation of new, more efficient panels could potentially reduce the Athletic Center’s net carbon emissions to zero. Therefore, if Belmont Hill wishes to reach its goal of becoming a more sustainable school, it should install solar panels on other campus buildings, such as the dining hall and new parking lot, while also renewing its lease on the Athletic Building panels. Finally, the panels are very durable – often lasting over 25 years – and provide long-term cost savings. The school plans to install multiple solar canopies in both parking lots. The sooner this happens, the more energy and money can be saved.
Another fantastic alternative is geothermal energy, which uses the temperatures beneath the Earth’s surface to heat and cool buildings – especially efficient for schools with significant heating needs. Far more energy-efficient than Belmont Hill’s current traditional HVAC systems, they have the advantage of producing more energy, and, after being installed, are nearly emission-free. Similarly to solar panels, the systems are highly durable, with repairs needed only once every 20 years. Although establishing a geothermal energy source on campus would require a great upfront amount of money and time to drill through at least 50 feet and then develop that land, the benefits are worthwhile. All Belmont Hill students know about the troubles of room temperatures in the Elliot Building, but with the addition of geothermal systems, the fluctuations and days of freezing-cold classes would be long gone. Mr. Sullivan and the Sustainability Club have pointed out Belmont Hill’s considerations of using geothermal energy in its construction projects, and the imminent development of the dining hall should similarly use renewable energy sources like geothermal energy, no matter the short-time barriers that may cause trouble.
At the moment, Belmont Hill stands at a crossroads between continuing to rely on the conventional energy sources currently in use or taking a bold, yet necessary approach toward sustainability. By adopting measures such as new solar panels and geothermal energy, the school would experience more than just financial benefits; its commitment to a healthier and brighter future would set an example for students and reflect its passion for change in the broader community. However, the time to act is now, as every ray of sunshine is one wasted away.
Indresh Chandel