As a Smith College student studying climate change, I’m thrilled that UMass Amherst will soon have solar canopies in two parking lots with a Leading By Example grant from the Department of Energy Resources (“UMass gets $500K for solar projects,” July 27).
After divesting from fossil fuels, investing in renewable energy demonstrates the university’s commitment to tackling climate change head-on. Our reliance on dirty energy like coal, oil and natural gas is polluting our communities and warming our climate at an unprecedented rate.
The year 2016 is already shaping up to be the hottest year on record. To avoid the worst impacts of climate change, we need to power our society with clean, renewable energy. We have the technology to switch to 100 percent renewable energy.
Solar power has tripled in America in just two years, and Massachusetts has a huge potential for offshore wind.
It’s time for all of Massachusetts to lead by example and commit to 100 percent renewable energy.
Zara Jamshed
Northampton