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BOSTON GREEN ACADEMY STUDENTS CALL THEIR COMMUNITIES TO ACTION WITH GREENTALKS

By October 19, 2019 No Comments

This week sophomores at Boston Green Academy presented their research on the economic and environmental impact of food systems and the socioeconomic conditions that affect healthy food choices.

This past week, sophomores at Boston Green Academy (BGA), a Boston Public School in Brighton, presented their results after months of deep academic inquiry for the 2nd Annual GREENTalks. This annual event is one of the features that makes BGA a “green school”; the young scholars beginning a lifelong journey of confronting big challenges and uncovering solutions. The students had researched our food systems’ impacts on society and called on their peers, teachers, BGA partners, and community members to take action.

The GREENTalks topics included social justice indicators of food systems, the pros and cons of raising animals for food, the economic and environmental impacts of food systems, and socioeconomic conditions that affect healthy food choices in Boston’s low-income and minority communities.

The eight students walked the audience through challenges of the modern food system. Cassely outlined the rising rates of diabetes and obesity in the United States, while Deni and Rashema gave two perspectives on food insecurity and choice. It was powerful to hear young people posing tough questions while also offering solutions, even localized examples in Boston that demonstrate how the food system can function differently.

Across the presentations, the idea of access was a key part to the problems — as well as the solutions. Whether it was access to education, healthy food choices, or technology that can better equip people with information, access and equity are themes that will continue to challenge and motivate us all to strive for more.

The GREENTalks aim to inspire the next cohort of sophomores to present their findings and lived experience of climate impacts. Three freshmen presented PSA videos about how climate change has affected their communities and the people around them. All BGA sophomores were awarded certificates of completion during a reception that was held in BGA’s lobby.

Students are incredibly important to our communities, and youth engagement is a big part of our City’s Climate Action Plan. This week, students from 66 schools in Massachusetts were recognized for their outstanding environmental actions as members of the “Green Team,” a statewide environmental education program promoted by the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs and the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection. Learn more about the students’ accomplishments here. Greenovate will continue to cover the amazing work done by Boston’s students and youth groups.