THURSDAY 3 APRIL 2025 MEDIA RELEASE- CLIMATE-RESILIENT SCHOOLS: A SMARTER INVESTMENT
Kate Hook, community independent candidate for Calare, is calling for immediate investment into climate-resilient schools for immediate and long-term investment improving the learning opportunities for our most valuable assets, our young people.
“Many schools in Calare are too hot in summer and too cold in winter, making it difficult for students to concentrate and learn,” Kate Hook said. “I believe climate resilience should be a priority, ensuring schools are not only well-funded but also energy-efficient and comfortable for students and teachers.”
As the climate warms and we see more extreme weather events, we need to ensure infrastructure is in place to minimise the amount of school and sport days kids miss out on due to floods, severe storms and heat waves.
As the climate warms and we see more extreme weather events, we need to ensure infrastructure is in place to minimise the amount of school and sport days kids miss out on due to floods, severe storms and heat waves.
Kate is calling for:
- Electrification of school buildings to move away from outdated, costly and polluting gas heating.
- Solar panels on all suitable public-school rooftops, together with well-insulated, energy-efficient classrooms, cutting energy costs and redirecting savings to student resources.
- Reliable heating and cooling in all public-school classrooms, so learning is not disrupted by extreme temperatures.
- Fridges in public school classrooms to avoid school lunches being spoiled in hot weather.
- Tree planting programs for school grounds to provide natural shade, reduce urban heat effects, and improve air quality.
- EV chargers in public schools, allowing teachers and staff to benefit from solar energy while at work.
- More ambitious climate policies to reduce the emissions that create hotter days and impact student’s ability to play sport and the storms and floods that can prevent school attendance.
“Public schools should lead the way in Australia’s clean energy transition—reducing costs while improving learning conditions. Not only would this benefit schools in Calare but bespoke solutions could also be applied to other public schools across the country.”
“Young people are going to inherit the world we leave behind. We need to make sure they have the best education possible, so they are equipped with the knowledge they need to preserve it for future generations. Having a learning environment that supports that is essential.”
Kate Hook is committed to standing up for public schools in Calare, ensuring they are fully funded, well-resourced, and equipped for the future.