Close up photo of a knit sweater.

Every February, the UGDSB celebrates National Sweater Day, a simple reminder that dressing a little warmer ourselves can help the planet cool down. By turning down the heat by a couple of degrees and reaching for a cozy sweater, we can make a meaningful difference in reducing energy use and greenhouse gas emissions.

Across our school board’s 82 buildings, heating is one of our largest sources of energy consumption. Even a small temperature reduction of 1–2°C during National Sweater Day helps lower the demand on our boilers and furnaces. This translates into real environmental benefits, including:

  • Reduced natural gas and electricity use across classrooms, gyms, and offices

  • Fewer greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere

These savings show the power of collective action. When thousands of students and staff make one small change together, the impact is huge.