Emily, Grade 12

I want to change the world – and school is a great place to start! That’s why I’m very happy that ZIS is not just installing solar panels but also promoting what it’s doing to the whole school community. Exposure to renewable energy technologies encourages us students to think differently – and talk about our thoughts with our families and friends. That means solar gets more exposure, which in turn attracts more attention. It’s a perfect domino effect. 

In class, we’ve been talking and thinking a lot about the energy mix, and solar is an essential part of that. So many countries are still using fracking, or oil, or coal. But we also have the sun, right? OK, it’s not sunny in Switzerland all the time! But solar is a great starting point to diversify that energy mix and work with what we have right above us. I recently travelled all the way from Zurich to London by electric car. It showed me that new technologies really do make new things happen. 

The ZIS solar panels campaign is a great way to include everyone in something bigger. We’re all in this together, after all – and we need to be open to change. Europe must keep up with countries like India and China, which are investing in projects such as electric cars. We need to implement change and set the right incentives now: we still have time. 

The school wants to reach 100 per cent renewable energy by 2030. To do that, I believe that solar panels should be just the beginning. It should become a key part of the school spirit: a core value, an essential part of our curriculum which we learn about in a playful way, without feeling stressed or pressured.

At ZIS, we aim to create leaders of tomorrow. We should behave like those leaders now – by walking the walk, and inspiring others. Implementing renewable energies at ZIS shows that we’re taking the lead in our commitment to sustainable practices.