Taking a look at environmental sustainability and climate change, there is no time like the present to take actionable steps towards being as eco-friendly as possible. Just recently, scientists discovered that CO2 levels have led to the increase in size and length of amazon rainforest trees. Additionally, entire seascapes are expected to diminish by 2050 due to the preassumed tripling of human impacts. While said issues appear out of reach, each individual has the ability to make a change collectively in every setting they encounter. School, where adolescents spend most of their time, is just one of these environments that requires great attention.
At Hingham High School, staff and students have made profound efforts to reduce plastic waste and reuse as much of it as possible. Just last year, the Green Team decorated individual recycling bins to encourage students with bright and positive messages about being friendly to the environment. Additionally, the school places larger recycling bins alongside each hallway for passing students to use.
During lunch, students have the option to use the recycling bins or the trash. “I feel like I’m usually pretty good about recycling,” senior Nora Connolly claims. “One thing I noticed though this year is that the school stopped recycling lunch trays.” While students tend to be generally diligent about recycling habits, there still remains room for improvement in Hingham’s cafeteria.
Hingham High School’s Green Team club has made devout impacts to our schools environment and works hard to maintain eco-friendly tactics at HHS. 2025 Green Team secretary Finley Erick was asked about her suggestions to keep our school as sustainable as possible. Finley recommends, “One suggestion that I have is to attend the courtyard clean ups that the Green Team and Student Council are planning for this upcoming school year. We’ll have one in the fall and one in the spring and everyone’s help is greatly appreciated!” Getting in contact with the Green Team or student council through google classroom or email will allow students to stay up to date with events regarding sustainability.
Tasks as mentioned above seem small in the long run, but these are the services that, combined, can alter the course of environmental destruction. So, consider taking actionable steps such as getting involved in the Green Team, recycling as much as possible, and sharing information with friends.
