Recently in north Texas, an appalling ice storm took over 10 lives and robbed an additional 300,000 people of electricity in their homes. Texas, not accustomed to frigid weather, was unprepared and taken off guard by the inclement weather. And who is the culprit of this rapid shift in weather patterns? Climate change.

Due to the increase in climate change, it has caused uproar in Texas’ weather conditions. In addition to these already frightening circumstances, numerous school districts shut down schools for the entire first week of February. What does this mean for students and their education? Climate change is actively harming students’ education and taking away from the regular flow of school years.

It’s quite alarming that Texas has been experiencing these disastrous winter storms. Temperatures in Texas during February were 50 degrees lower than average. In a research article about arctic amplification done by Jennifer A. Francis, she found that due to increased evaporation, precipitation rates sky rocket, which then turns into snowfall. Texas ice storms aren’t the only victims of climate change’s catastrophes. For example, California’s megafires, tropical storms in Florida, and even cyclones in Zimbabwe are all the effects of global warming,

Like a domino effect, these calamities are now affecting students in school. Texas, unprepared for this random ice storm, shut down almost 40 independent school districts and 16 universities. While make-up days were utilized by districts, students’ momentum were disrupted and important tests and assignments were postponed. It’s obvious- the more school absences the less learning.

Coming back to school, students were slammed with tests and quizzes they missed throughout the absent week on the first day back. With a week long vacation, many students performed badly on tests as content learned was now forgotten. It makes sense, students are not at blame here. Excited about getting to skip school, students’ priorities aren’t studying. Especially when many schools did not make an effort to send out at home assignments or homework. It’s unfair for students to be given tests on the first day back. Because school districts are unprepared for these bad weather days, students’ grades are being harmed.

As climate change causes weather disasters and as weather disasters cause schools to shut down, students are being deprived of important lessons and education. It’s important for not only school districts to be more prepared for bad weather, but for us to start at the root of the problem-climate change. Big or small, every action can help global warming. From changing transportation methods to hanging clothes instead of using a drying machine, these little actions can ultimately benefit your children from getting consistent education.

Eunice Ra / Reedy High School 11th Grade

<Eunice Ra / Reedy High School 11th Grade>