Taking Action

In late August, Gaby C. '20 received an exciting email from Los Angeles City Councilmember representing District 4, David Ryu. Ryu had heard about Gaby's involvement in Marlborough's commitment to use only 100% renewable electricity to power the campus by 2030, which Marlborough Head of School Dr. Priscilla Sands signed this summer. To celebrate Gaby's efforts, Ryu invited her to attend a City Council meeting so he could honor her publicly.

"She is a leader in her community, an activist in our community, an inspiration to us all," said Ryu. "This is how we turn climate change around, and this is how we change the world - one school at a time, one community at a time, one city at a time. With people like Gaby already stepping up to the plate, I have hope."

Gaby's concerns about climate change began in school, but it wasn't until after she attended a local Climate Reality Chapter meeting and subsequent leadership conference that she learned about the 100% committed project.

"When I heard about it, I immediately thought of Marlborough," said Cohen when she spoke at the September 27 City Council meeting. "This is a huge achievement, and Marlborough is actually the first school ever to take this pledge. But just to be clear, although this is an achievement in and of itself, this is not the end of the road. Now we have to figure out how we are going to get there. Los Angeles is in a similar position. I am so proud to be a part of both of these communities that are taking action on climate change, and I am excited to see each community rally around this great challenge and opportunity."