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Promoting school-based climate change adaptation: winners for rain garden teaching aids announced

EPA's "Multifunctional Smart Rain Garden Demonstration Project" wins first prize at 30th Chinese Architectural Golden Stone Awards

In the face of climate change, in addition to accelerating carbon reduction, adaptation work must also be carried out. The EPA is promoting a multifunctional smart rain garden project, selecting six elementary schools in 2021 for participation. On Dec. 22, EPA Deputy Director-General Shen Chih-Hsiu, the Water Resources Agency of the Ministry of Economic Affairs, and the principals of Taichung City’s Dazhi Elementary School and Wurih Junior High School, Chiayi City’s Chung-Wen Elementary School, Tainan City’s Gueinan Elementary School, and Kaohsiung City’s Jhong-Jheng Elementary School and Ta-Tung Elementary School gathered at Dazhi Elementary School to announce the start of construction. Together, they planted the seeds of campus climate action, creating campuses that conserve water and energy, retain rainwater, and reduce heat.

During hot summers, a timely rain is the most anticipated relief from the heat. When precious rain falls on the city, small yet beautiful "rain gardens" enhance the environment with functions of water and energy conservation, water retention, and cooling, extending the effectiveness of water resources. On the July 17, the Executive Yuan's Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) invited local governments and experts to Beitou Elementary School to showcase its rain garden, a climate adaptation demonstration facility that not only accommodates 40mm of accumulated rainfall but also reduces ground temperature by 5-15°C. Rain gardens help cool urban areas, alleviate flooding, and enhance campuses capacity to adapt to extreme climates.