Spring is upon us once again, and with it so, too, is that time of year when eco-friendly Earth Day projects return to front pages and newscasts everywhere.
Not that the environment of public conservation practices hasn’t drastically changed over the last 10 years, five even, but April 22 each year is the date when everyone becomes especially conscious about protecting our planet. Yes, we have more hybrid vehicles (including school buses) seemingly on our streets and highways than ever before. More and more commercial buildings, at least, are being equipped with solar panels and other means of generating their own energy. And the feds continue to duke it out over the right balance of “global warming” verbiage.
It would be nice if all of society, all countries, all humans, truly lived green practices 365 days a year. Still, having one recognized Earth Day a year is better than none at all. And I can be just as guilty as the next person.
So I got into the swing of things, myself, today after reading a press release from the EPA on 10 ways to help the earth. Actually, it only asked you to “Pick 5.” The folks there obviously know us and our ADD all too well.
I didn’t have to read far before coming across a recommendation that the school transportation industry would greatly benefit from, granted it repeats it loudly and often over the next four weeks and beyond. The EPA asks us to “Commute without polluting!” And obviously the school bus can play an important role. After all, increasing school bus ridership is receiving a big push from the the American School Bus Council as it is seeking signatures from congressional members on a letter being sent to the U.S. Department of Transportation for what basically amounts to a $5 million PR campaign to convince people of the safety, traffic congestion reduction and — voila! — environmental benefits.
And that’s not to mention how student achievement can be enhanced by school buses, or be hurt by a lack thereof.
No. 9 on the EPA’s list also fits nicely with the aim of the school transportation industry, at least a part of it, that being the safe biking and walking folks. Far too many people in my opinion remain wary of Safe Routes to School, regardless of the federal money this group taps into. I’ve said it before that I think a door is open there for transportation departments to partner with the program to at least sit at the planning table and influence the conversation on how kids safely and efficiently get to school.
True, as of yet there are no provisions to fund safe routes to school bus stops despite the efforts last year of NASDPTS. And I recognize that this is a district-by-district decision. But the EPA list serves as a reminder that school transportation industry can help influence the discussion when it comes to student safety on the way to and from school.
And like with Earth Day, those efforts should occur every day of the year that ends in Y.
