Tuesday at Walt Whitman High School in Bethesda, Montgomery County high school students enrolled in the Leadership Academy for Social Justice met with county officials. They heard County Executive Marc Elrich and Superintendent Dr. Thomas Taylor address county efforts concerning climate change.
During the visit, Elrich talked about how the county reduces carbon emissions and improves the environment for this generation as well as future generations.
Since the county adopted its Climate Action Plan in 2021, it has begun the vast majority of the 86 actions, with 55 actions either completed or near completion, he told the students.
He pointed to numerous achievements like leading the county toward electric rather than gas utilities, zero emission buses, solar energy panels installation, hydrogen-producing plants, recycling more items and working toward elimination of the county incinerator.
Elrich told the students he was doing his part by driving an electric car, using only electric utilities and having a solar roof at his home.
“This work is directly improving the air we breathe and the water we drink while making our communities more resilient and creating real economic opportunities in the clean energy sector. It’s fitting that we’re sharing this update with students, because they’re the ones who will inherit the consequences of what we do—or don’t do—today,” Elrich said.
“Young people understand what’s at stake. They see through excuses, and they expect action.”
Taylor said the school district will install solar roof panels on its schools and work toward an electric bus contract. In 2027, a new Burtonsville Elementary School will open as the district’s first net zero emissions building.
The Social Justice Leadership Academy is one of the school system’s expanded climate change educational offerings implemented during the past year.
Thank you, @KogelSmucker, for the reminder—there’s still time to join Montgomery County’s Climate Smart Campaign! Big change starts small, and I encourage everyone to take the pledge for a brighter, more sustainable future. Join us in the fight against climate change. pic.twitter.com/sbdA5A35S6
— County Exec Marc Elrich (@MontCoExec) March 7, 2025
