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| Green Schools: Worthy Investment? |
| posted by: Alix | May 31, 2011, 04:17 PM |
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According to a report issued last week by the American Institute of Architects and the U.S. Green Building Council, "green schools" are not only better for students, teachers, and the environment, but are also benefiting the bottom line. At a time when districts everywhere are facing major budget shortfalls, saving money while teaching students about the environment may be a welcome addition to schools across the country. The report entitled, Local Leaders in Sustainability: A National Action Plan for Greening American Schools, defines a "green" school as "a building or facility that creates a healthy environment that is conducive to learning while saving energy, resources, and money." The overall plan resulted from a three-day meeting in November and details what mayors, superintendents, and other local leaders can do to advance the movement for environmentally friendly schools. Among the many elements to becoming "green", the report recommends becoming involved with the local green-schools movement; raising awareness about the benefits of green buildings by creating a task force or hosting a summit; tracking the energy use of existing schools; passing a green cleaning policy; and advancing "green" school construction bonds. While incorporating these plans into older schools can be difficult, the green-schools movement has made an enormous impact on districts constructing new school buildings. "Eighty percent of the 20 largest school districts in the U.S. have committed to not building another school that isn't green," said Rachel Gutter, a report author. While many argue that making a school "green" can be costly, the report advocates that while the initial costs of building a school can be slightly higher, the investment in renewable energy through solar panels for example, can yield cost savings down the line. Environmental experts also highlight that a "green" school is not just state-of-the- art building materials, but can also incorporate smaller steps, from what kinds of cleaning products are used on campus, to how the school recycles waste, to what the students are learning in their classes, and what kinds of transportation options are available. Clearly as the environmentally friendly movement catches on, new schools will most likely incorporate some cost-saving "green" elements into their construction. Time will tell if older schools will take the time to pilot some of these initiatives to get students thinking about their environmental impact. Do you have any "green" programs in your school? Comment below. Comments (1)
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