Schools and school districts interested in conserving energy, resources, and money can build, clean, and teach "green"—even on a shoestring budget.
Around the world, major industries, from auto makers to manufacturers, are turning green. Amid striking findings about the health of the planet, companies seek new ways to use less energy; provide cleaner, healthier services; and save money. Now, too, innovative schools and school districts are jumping into the green game by using creative, cutting-edge technology, rethinking school construction and sanitation practices, and using energy and water more efficiently.
What Is a Green School?
When we talk about a green school, what does that really mean and why is it important? The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) 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." USGBC developed the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system to provide benchmarks for buildings and facilities designed to be green. The LEED for Schools Rating System, launched in 2007, was developed specifically for new K–12 schools and those undergoing major renovations and addresses issues such as classroom acoustics, master planning, mold prevention, and environmental site assessment. For schools interested in making some changes without breaking ground or breaking the bank, USGBC offers guidelines for improving operations and maintenance under the LEED for Existing Buildings: Operations and Maintenance Rating System.
Rachel Gutter, senior manager of the Education Sector of USGBC, says it's imperative for education stakeholders to work together to build green schools and incorporate green lessons and practices in the classroom. And don't bother asking, "Why should schools go green?" The question isn't why; it's why not. Going green is no longer a luxury or just a fun idea; it has become a global necessity.
"We're coming to place where 99 percent of the world's scientists agree that we've got to make some really big changes fast," says Gutter. "When it comes to greening schools, it's a win-win-win. It's a win for the people in the building; it's a win for the bottom line—green schools save $100,000 a year in terms of operating expenses; and it's a win for the environment. There's really no argument for why we wouldn't be building our schools green."
For the health and safety of students, staff, the local community, and the environment, schools should evaluate several important environmental factors, inside and outside of the classroom. "When we talk about green schools, we're talking about more than just ‘tree hugging,’" says Gutter. "We're talking about energy efficiency, water efficiency, and indoor environmental quality, which includes not only air quality but also acoustics, a key element when it comes to classroom design. If kids can't hear, then they can't learn. It also includes more sustainable approaches to materials and resources as well as more appropriate ways to build on land. We're also talking about where you build public transportation or alternative transportation options."
Going green is more than just a superficial display of temporary measures. Administrators at the district and building levels interested in undergoing a green transformation must make strategic and purposeful decisions, taking into account a wide range of factors.
What Are the Benefits of Being Green?
A "sick" building can have a powerful impact on student achievement and teacher performance. The use of toxic pesticides, cleaning supplies, lead paint, and harmful construction materials affect those inside school walls in ways that can have lifelong effects. Schools are sometimes built near harmful sites or on land that may have toxins or other substances in the soil. Also, poor indoor air quality may contribute to high rates of student and teacher illness or to increased problems with asthma and allergies, especially in children.
According to the 2006 report Greening America's Schools Costs and Benefits, more than 60 million students, faculty, and staff spend their days in schools. Unfortunately, the report finds, "14 million students (over a quarter of all students) attend schools considered below standard or dangerous and almost two-thirds of schools have building features such as air conditioning that are in need of extensive repair or replacement."
With so many people attending and working in schools, these places should be safe houses where learning and teaching are not undermined by unhealthy conditions or polluted air. According to the report The Little Green Schoolhouse: Thinking Big About Ecological Sustainability, Children's Environmental Health and K–12 Education in the USA, "schoolscan provide a healthy environment for students and staff, while promoting ecological sustainability, by using alternatives to toxic chemicals, pursuing green building and maintenance practices, changing their resource consumption patterns, serving nutritious food, and teaching students to be stewards of their communities, the earth, and its resources."
- Save energy. Well-designed green schools will use less power for heating, cooling, lighting, and operating machinery.
- Save water. Some green schools have incorporated no-water urinals, low-volume toilets, low-flow faucets, automatic shut-off valves, and rainwater collection systems that can be used for irrigation.
- Save money. Using less water and energy can result in significant cost savings for schools.
- Reduce pollution. By using energy more efficiently green schools can reduce emissions of nitrogen oxide, sulfur dioxide, and carbon dioxide.
- Improve health. Green schools should be designed to provide better indoor air quality, which benefits both children and staff. Other health benefits include improved climate control and better use of daylight.
- Provide new educational opportunities. Teachers can use a green school as a scientific laboratory as students track the use of green technology. Also, teachers can integrate lessons in ecology, resource management, and construction and design across the content areas.
With all these benefits, making the decision to go green seems incredibly appealing. But in this time of school budget crunches, everyone is looking at the bottom line. Administrators are asking, "Does building a green school cost more than a constructing a conventional school?" Greening America's Schools explains that green construction doesn't have to be overwhelming. In a review of 30 U.S. schools, the study found that "green schools cost less than 2 percent more than conventional schools—or about $3 per square foot—but provide financial benefits that are 20 times as large." The cost savings include lower energy and water costs, improved teacher retention, and lower health costs. If your school or district can't afford to build a new building, however, integrating green principles and practices is a great way to start.
Schools have plenty of cost-effective and creative options for making green choices and creating safe, healthy schools. Also, turning a school into an exciting green laboratory can provide new ways to incorporate green lessons across the content areas.
Planting the Seed
- Turn off the lights. Install motion sensors in classrooms or ask teachers to turn off the lights when the classrooms will be empty. Also try using more energy-efficient compact fluorescent light bulbs.
- Clean green. Use nontoxic cleaning products and insecticides to keep the school clean and the staff and students healthy.
- Turn the cafeteria green. Do an audit of the food served in the cafeteria and vending machines. Research whether you could be providing healthier or locally grown food. By working with local vendors or farmers you could probably save money and offer more nutritious options. Ask parents and community members to offer fun cooking demonstrations to teach kids about making healthier food choices. If your school has the capacity to wash dishes, try using reusable dishes and silverware rather than plastic utensils and styrofoam. Or try recycled paper plates, cups, and napkins.
- Rethink how you're using paper. Try sending more electronic communications, using recycled paper, and replacing paper towels with hand dryers.
- Start a school- or community-wide recycling initiative.
- Teach students to look at the numbers. Show students how to conduct energy audits in the classroom and to calculate their carbon footprints. Encourage them to conduct energy audits at home and to help their family members analyze their carbon footprints.
- Go green. Encourage students to take public transportation, walk, or ride their bikes to school, if appropriate and safe.
- Grow green. Grow a class garden or work with the school landscape team to learn about the school's trees and plant life.
Who's Going Green?
Internationally, the numbers of newly constructed green schools and schools integrating green practices are growing. From Ghana to Bali to India to the United Kingdom, school leaders are looking at different ways to think about the environment and conserve energy and resources. For example, in Scotland, Education Secretary Fiona Hyslop recently announced a plan to help schools meet the Scottish government's commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 80 percent by 2050.
In the United States, USGBC is hoping to work with state lawmakers in all 50 states to promote green school buildings through its Fifty for Fifty Initiative. On the local level, a determined group of mayors has joined forces to create the Mayors Alliance for Green Schools, with the goal of promoting the benefits of green schools in their communities.
Going green can seem a little daunting, but with proper planning and research, the task becomes much more manageable. School districts and schools that want to start right away have a wealth of resources at their fingertips for making immediate changes.
Additional Resources:
- <LINK URL="http://www.buildgreenschools.org">Build Green Schools</LINK>, developed by USGBC, has green school project profiles, green lesson plans and curricula, LEED training courses, toolkits, videos, and much more.
- <LINK URL="http://planetgreen.discovery.com">Planet Green</LINK>, operated by the Discovery Channel, offers comprehensive information about going green and teaching green.
- <LINK URL="http://www.treehugger.com">Treehugger</LINK> is another great Discovery Channel Web site that offers tons of tips, resources, and research.
- <LINK URL="http://www.thegreenguide.com">The Green Guide</LINK>, sponsored by National Geographic, offers green tips for everyday living.
