Submitted by Janine Allen
Over 100 students from Charles Bloom Secondary in grades 7 and 8 took part in the CARE Program this year (Climate Action Ripple Effect). For this program, students combine their skills and interests with climate issues to create projects that make a real difference in climate action. Most of these students showcased their work at a Summit held at CBSS on May 14th, where they shared their projects with other students from CBSS, J.W. Inglis, and Cherryville Elementary. The project wrapped up with an Expo in Vernon on May 29th, where their work was showcased alongside others from Vernon, Lake Country, and Kelowna.
As part of their projects, they were asked to create a “ripple effect” to share their learning with others. Some created social media accounts and/or posts, connected with local governments, groups, or businesses, shared with younger students, or created posters that you may see around town. Some groups chose to write articles for this local newspaper. Please take the time to read about their learning, the climate issues, and solutions they suggest to move forward to a greener future for them and for everyone!
An In-depth Dive Into the EV Battery Crisis
Local Solutions To Global Problems
Written by Aluna Sage and Ayla Sveen
This piece aims to inform rather than criticize the EV industry, urging consumers to consider these factors when purchasing electric vehicles.
Our exploration of electric vehicles (EVs) unfolded into a serious examination of the unsustainable practices in producing what is often labeled “clean” transportation. While EVs offer environmental benefits, their production raises significant concerns, particularly regarding climate impact and ethical sourcing.
A major focus is on cobalt, mainly sourced from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), which produces over 70% of the world’s supply. The extraction process is linked to child labor, deforestation, and dangerous conditions as unsustainable practices are employed to mine these resources.
Water usage for lithium production is alarming—2.2 million litres are needed for just one ton of lithium. Hypothetically, transitioning to all EVs would require around 15 million tons of lithium and consume 33 trillion litres of water, equivalent to 8.3 years’ worth of global water use. This is already affecting regions like Bolivia, Chile, and Argentina.
Furthermore, child labor is a critical issue in the supply chain, with children working in perilous conditions in both the DRC and China. Many are trafficked, and the mix of cobalt from various mines complicates tracking questionable sourcing. In China, over 40,000 child workers, some as young as six, contribute to battery production.
LFP (Lithium Iron Phosphate or Lithium Ferrous Phosphate) Batteries.
We realize the harm that the production of EV batteries has on our environment, and we need to find a way to resolve the issues.
LFP batteries have been proven to be considerably sustainable compared to NMC (Lithium Nickel Manganese Cobalt) batteries. If you are looking to make a change in how EV batteries impact climate change, keep reading. These batteries have many, many benefits, and are COBALT-FREE.
LFP batteries are cheaper to produce, leading to more affordable electric vehicles (EVs). LFP cells cost as low as $98.50 per kWh, compared to $120.30 for NCA and $112.70 for NMC. They also have a longer cycle life, allowing more charge cycles; Tesla recommends charging LFP batteries to 100% weekly, unlike nickel-based batteries which are best charged to 80%.
LFP batteries are safer as they have a higher thermal runaway temperature of 270°C, compared to 210°C for NMC and 150°C for NCA. This safety, combined with being cobalt-free, reduces carbon emissions by 15-25% compared to NMCs and alleviates certain humanitarian issues associated with battery production.
What Actions We Can Take
Although it may feel like there is nothing we can do, we can take actions locally by using ride-share programs, using public transportation ,biking and walking. But if you are interested in purchasing an electric vehicle, we have created a list of EV’s that use LFP batteries.
- Tesla Model Ys
- Kia EV
- Ford Commercial Vehicles
- Toyota bz3 EV
- BYD Yang Wang U8
- GM’s
Thank you for taking the time to read about what we have researched. We hope this information was helpful and interesting. Aluna and Ayla.
Greener Transportation: Paving the Way for a Sustainable Future
Written by Milo Arnold. His group members are Taran Gibbs and Dawson Teagle
Transportation plays a big role in our society today. But, traditional modes of transport, especially those dependent on fossil fuels have contributed a lot to environmental decline, air pollution, and climate change. As the world grapples with these challenges, the shift toward greener transportation has become more urgent than ever.
The Need for Sustainable Mobility
Conventional transportation methods, such as gasoline-powered cars and diesel trucks, release harmful carbon emissions into the atmosphere, worsen global warming. Cities worldwide are witnessing the consequences: declining air quality, rising temperatures, and increased health problems among residents. The push for greener alternatives is not just about reducing environmental impact—it’s about creating healthier, more livable communities.
Promising Solutions for Eco-Friendly Transportation
Electric Vehicles (EVs) EVs have become a favourite in green transportation, offering a cleaner alternative to traditional gas-powered cars.
Public Transit Expansion Investing in efficient public transportation reduces the number of individual cars on the road, leading to lower emissions and less congestion.
Cycling and Walking Encouraging bike-friendly infrastructure and pedestrian-friendly urban planning helps reduce reliance on motorized transport.
Shared mobility and Carpooling Ride-sharing and carpooling reduce the number of vehicles on the road, cutting emissions while making transportation more affordable. Apps and technology-driven solutions have made shared mobility more accessible than ever.
Alternative Fuels Biofuels, hydrogen fuel cells, and synthetic fuels present exciting alternatives to traditional gasoline and diesel. By leveraging renewable energy sources, this can significantly reduce the carbon footprint of transportation.
How can we implement this into Lumby? We could put bike lanes/walking paths going out toward Mabel lake, Cherryville and Whitevale.
