Diversity Digest is a weekly reflection written by staff from different areas of our school

The International Day of Clean Energy offers a timely moment for the Patana community to reflect on our role in shaping a more sustainable future. Clean energy is central to global efforts to reduce carbon emissions; yet it is also deeply connected to the values we uphold as a school that champions responsibility, innovation and global citizenship.

Across campus, our students are already engaging with questions about climate, sustainability and the future of energy. Days like this give us a chance to build on that curiosity; to help them understand not only the science behind clean energy but the wider impac of the choices we make as individuals and as a school.

But clean energy is only part of the story. Before we opt for renewable sources, we need to ask: how much energy are we using in the first place? The principle of “reduce, reuse, recycle” starts with reduction; and that applies to energy too. According to the International Energy Agency, air conditioning alone accounts for 7% of global electricity use and 3% of carbon emissions. That statistic invites some challenging but important questions:

• Do we always need to cool spaces as much as we do?
• Could we adjust temperature settings or use natural ventilation more often?
• How might small changes in our habits, such as turning off unused lights or unplugging devices, add up across a large campus?

From modelling energy-conscious behaviours in classrooms to supporting inquiry and discussion, every small step helps build a culture that values sustainability. Many of our current projects, from environmental learning tom student-led initiatives, already contribute to this work; this day simply reminds us how powerful collective action can be.

Thank you for the part you play. By keeping sustainability visible in our teaching, our conversations and our daily routines, we help our students see that a cleaner, fairer future is possible; and that they have a role in leading it.