Are you interested in participating in a project that will improve the health of our children and the environment they live in?
The Conservation Council of New Brunswick is looking for parents and students to participate in community roundtables to discuss the benefits and drawbacks of transitioning New Brunswick’s school bus fleet to fully electric. Most of the fleet currently consist of diesel buses that emit dangerous pollutants into the environment, with school-aged children being the most at risk for exposure.
In 2016, the New Brunswick Climate Action Plan recommended that the government vehicle fleet, including school buses, transition to lower-emitting fuel sources. To date, they have piloted two electric school buses, 74 gasoline buses, and 16 propane-powered buses.
New Brunswick must commit to truly zero-emissions school buses and quicken the pace of change if we are to reach our emissions reduction targets and improve air quality for school children. This campaign is intended to strengthen government resolve to make this change and to build capacity among community stakeholders.
We want to engage parents and students to learn how this transition will affect you. We hope to learn as much as possible from you so that we have a solid plan that addresses the concerns of the people on the frontlines. Your children’s health and safety are of paramount importance when considering changes to their transportation.
This project is the result of a partnership between the Conservation Council of New Brunswick and the Ecology Action Centre (EAC). Through funding generously provided by the Trottier Family Foundation, CCNB and EAC are part of the Pan-Canadian Electric School Bus Alliance to phase out costly and toxic diesel buses with electric buses. The government of P.E.I. has already committed to transitioning to a fully-electric school bus fleet and Québec has set a target of 65% by 2030. Through your support and input, we can convince the government to make the right decision and make similar commitments as neighboring jurisdictions.
If you are interested in participating, please reach out to Project Coordinator, Adam Mahoney at adam.mahoney@conservationcouncil.ca