Aami Dahiya ’26, News Staff Writer

Tree-planting as part of the PlaNYC initiative (Image courtesy of City Life Organization)

As climate change becomes a more pressing issue, communities throughout New York City and New Jersey have introduced new initiatives to create healthier, more sustainable spaces. These efforts, which aim to reduce pollution and improve urban quality of life, can serve as inspiration for high schools, like Newark Academy, to implement environmentally friendly practices on campus.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams recently launched PlaNYC: Getting Sustainability Done, which includes ambitious projects to increase the city’s green spaces, cut down on emissions, and bring climate education to schools. One of the key goals is expanding the city’s tree coverage to 30% by 2035, a measure that will help absorb pollutants and cool down neighborhoods. Since NA has a garden, there are already similar efforts already at the school. Emma Yin ’26 expressed her opinion on the garden, explaining that she believes that while the garden is a step in the right direction, the school could do more to involve students with it by planting more native species to create a more sustainable environment.  

Similarly, New Jersey’s Clean Buildings Initiative aims to reduce emissions by promoting energy-efficient upgrades for homes and public buildings. These upgrades include better insulation, improved HVAC systems, and replacing inefficient appliances. While large-scale changes like solar panels may not be realistic to switch to within the next couple of years, NA can still make a difference by switching to LED lighting, which is more energy-efficient and cost-effective in the long run. LED lights use around 75% less energy and last up to 25 times longer than traditional bulbs, making them an interesting and useful way to save energy. Many schools have also found success in implementing stronger recycling programs that include paper, plastic, and even small electronics. For example, NYC recently launched their Zero Waste Schools initiative, in which schools hold sustainability assemblies and engage students in recycling activities and information sessions. At NA, there are multiple recycling bins in every hallway, an important factor in creating a sustainable school. However, Greta Marazzi ’26, who takes IB Environmental Science, talked about the lack of focus on correctly recycling items. She noticed students throwing non-recyclables in the blue bins, indicating the need for more communication about the rules and reasons for recycling. 

Jersey City, another leader in local sustainability, has been improving its transportation infrastructure to support eco-friendly commuting. The city’s initiative started in 2019, when they started expanding bike lanes and offering incentives for purchasing electric vehicles to reduce traffic emissions. While these changes may be less applicable to NA students, there remain other practical options. Encouraging carpools and investing in energy-efficient transportation for buses to sports games could reduce the number of vehicles coming to school, lessening congestion and emissions during busy mornings and after schools.

By adopting small, manageable changes inspired by these local initiatives — like energy-saving lighting, carpool encouragement, and expanded recycling — NA can work toward a greener, more sustainable future.