Earth Day 2014
EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy (from Dorchester), and Secretary of Energy Ernest Moniz (from MA) visited Boston for the day and attended a series of events. BPS students leading on climate action and environmental initiatives in and out of their school were fortunate enough to join these federal leaders for a great Earth Day!
New England Aquarium ClimaTEENS
Christopher Villar from the O’Bryant School and Malik Tarrant from Dorchester Academy, along with other ClimaTeens from around Massachusetts, spoke with Mayor Walsh, EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy and Secretary of Energy Ernest Moniz about their Earth Day inspirations. The teens made three short presentations about the effects of climate change, discussed their own hopes and concerns for the future and asked questions of their visitors on what Earth Day means to them.
Left: Students present about how climate change will impact ocean crustaceans. Middle: Mayor Walsh speaks to the students about the importance of climate resiliency. Right: Secretary Moniz shares his memories of the first Earth Day.
Red Sox Carbon Neutral Game Featuring Boston Youth Climate Advocates
In honor of Earth Day, the Red Sox invited four BPS student leaders who are advocating for a better and more sustainable world to Fenway park as special guests. Olivia Buzzelle and Iridiana Panigua, fifth graders from the Haley Pilot School, announced “Play Ball” at the beginning of the game. Nadia Issa, Junior at Boston Arts Academy and seniors, Chris Acosta and Anteneh Mekonnen at Boston Green Academy, got to hang out in the dugout before the game. Chris and Anteneh just returned from a community service trip to the Dominican Republic and were able to chat with Big Papi about their experience.
In addition, the Red Sox made the April 22nd game against the Yankees green by offsetting all the energy used at the park with renewable energy. EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy and Secretary of Energy Ernest Moniz, both MA natives, threw the first pitch.
Left: BPS student environmental leaders joined Phoebe Beierle, BPS Sustainability Manager, at Fenway Park for a special Earth Day game. Left to right (Nadia Issa, Boston Arts Academy; Iridiana Panigua, Haley Pilot School; Phoebe Beierle, BPS; Chris Acosta, Boston Green Academy; Olivia Buzzelle, Haley Pilot School; Anteneh Mekonnen, Boston Green Academy) Middle: Iridiana Panigua (left) and Olivia Buzzelle (right), environmental leaders at the Haley Pilot School announced “Play Ball” to kick off the Boston Red Sox’s Earth Day game on April 22, 2014. Right: Chris Acosta and Anteneh Mekonnen, seniors at Boston Green Academy hanging with Big Papi!