Tina Bessias
Author's posts
Dec 04
The Business of $ustainability
1-Day Seminar for Upper School Students Friday, January 17 Apply here ASAP! Deadline: January 8 Why is sustainability such a center of innovation and entrepreneurship? How do people make money in this field? How are carbon emissions calculated, and how do organizations like DA try to reduce them? These topics and more will be addressed …
Nov 21
Gratitude
In this season of giving thanks, I would like to express gratitude to many people in the DA community. I’m personally grateful to those who pass me in cars when I’m riding my bike on Pickett Rd. I hear lots of people say how dangerous it is to ride there, but in fact, I rarely …
Oct 21
The Lower School Gym in a New Light
Today, there is an electrician named Luis Ossa working in a lift to remove giant antique light bulbs– 400 watt metal halide lamps–from the ceiling of the Lower School Gym. He is working in the dark to replace those lights with modern, efficient LEDs. And while he’s up there, he’s clearing out volleyballs and other …
Oct 21
Newsletter: DA Sustainability News
A number of people have expressed a desire for more information about what’s happening with sustainability at DA and in the surrounding community. Diane Daly is answering the call with this first edition of our newsletter. She is a Lower School science teacher and Sustainability Leadership Team member.
Sep 06
Faculty & Staff Focus on Sustainability
Every year, when faculty and staff assemble for opening meetings, we come with varying degrees of readiness but generally high hopes for the school year. Amid grand plans, training sessions, and endless details, we devote a day to professional development. This year’s topic, environmental sustainability, grew out of the Board of Trustees’ decision in December, …
May 31
Conversation Starters
The #1 thing we can do to stop global warming is talk about it! Most of us don’t talk much about climate change, but doing so is the best way to have a positive impact. If that seems strange, check with the experts: The Natural Resources Defense Council, climate scientist Katharine Hayhoe, or the Oxford …
May 22
Where should I start?
You want to live more sustainably, but everyday life is overwhelming enough without trying to rethink the habits and structures that make it work. So you ask: what’s one meaningful thing I could do? 9th graders have answers! In their Living Sustainably class, 9th graders did a quick assessment of their personal eco-footprint (you can …
Feb 22
Plan for Sustain-in 2024
Come one, come all! 6pm-12am February 29Upper School STEM & Humanities Building Come when you can, leave when you must! Bring your e-waste from home to drop for recycling.
Dec 13
Hope and Heroes
Join the conversation! Who or what gets you excited about sustainability? Students in the Environmental Sustainability in Action class share their thoughts. Replies and additional examples welcome! Please include your name and DA affiliation with your post. I believe that hope the most important thing in climate actions because it is the path to motivation …
Aug 08
Electric Bike
All summer I’ve been talking about electric bikes and riding the one I bought in late June. I’ve learned a lot , and many people seem curious, so I’ve pulled together some thoughts–plus a little advice :). Why get an e-bike? I suppose there are as many answers as people to this one, but I …