5-Step Energy Action Plan
for Cape & Islands Students & Schools*

You, along with children and students around the world, make up the generation that others must depend on if society is to be successful in addressing global energy problems and stabilizing the Earth’s climate. School represents a great place for you to get a head start. Students around this region are already doing tremendous things. Take the steps outlined below, and use the Comments feature to share information with your friends and peers at other schools.

1. Get started. Create a club, team, or committee focused on energy, recycling, and other green priorities.
2. Aim high. Set ambitious goals and develop an action plan to get teachers, school officials, and parents involved in achieving your objectives.
3. Learn from others. Look into what other schools are doing for ideas on how to enhance your green initiatives.
4. Share information and pressure peers. Tell everyone what you are doing, and ask your friends to help the school go green.
   
5. Do your homework. Make sure your parents, brothers, and sisters are doing everything they can to use less energy, recycle more stuff, and reduce your family’s carbon footprint.

*This initial, qualitative plan is only a start. Eventually, a quantitative Cape & Islands Regional Energy Action Plan (REAP) for Students & Schools is to be created consistent with the following long-term goals relating to energy independence, economic development, and climate change:

• Generate sufficient renewable energy in the Cape & Islands region to meet 100% of annual net electricity needs by 2020
• Reduce direct annual use of fossil fuels for heating and transport applications in the Cape & Islands region by 50% relative to baseline consumption

These regional goals were established by representatives from businesses, environmental advocacy groups, regional and state agencies, business associations, educational and research institutions, and nonprofits participating in a “Beyond Cape Wind” visioning session organized through the Cape & Islands Renewable Energy Collaborative. The quantitative REAP for Students & Schools will be developed based on ongoing efforts to create a technology strategy for this region. Click here for more information on REAP development and the “Beyond Cape Wind” stakeholder process.