Smart Tools

Guide to Green Schools

Our natural resources are threatened mostly by the things we throw everyday. Things like batteries and electronics have the tendency to leak dangerous chemicals and pollute the groundwater. Multiply this to the world population of approximately seven billion. We can't just sit around and say, “That's a lot of batteries.” The risks to our future are great enough to prompt us into action.

For example, recycling a ton of paper saves 7,000 gallons of water, 380 gallons of oil and enough electricity to power a house for six months. Little things to help the environment count, and, if collectively done, the impact is tremendous.

Schools have a big responsibility because the power to shape the students' environmental-conscious behaviors is in their hands. This leads to long-term impacts to help the environment, as teachers, government officials and business owners work together to educate the next generation.

The Go Green Initiative

Schools in particular can adopt the Go Green Initiative (GGI) to set goals for the community. Teachers can utilize parent and student volunteers to plan, schedule and execute environmental education in the campus.

The foundation of the GGI rests on the belief that people care about their children's health and safety, and that people will do the right thing when provided credible information, training and tools.

Steps

  1. Register with the Go Green Initiative Association for free to gain access to the tools, training and funding opportunities.
  2. Build a Go Green Team representing every sector in the campus (parents, teachers, custodian, administrator, students).
  3. Get the support from the principal and identify teachers interested in joining the Go Green Team.
  4. Involve the entire school in reviewing the environmental impact of the school. This brings the issue closer to home, and students can get first-hand experience when it comes to assessing the garbage produced by the school or the building efficiencies like leaky faucets.
  5. A detailed action plan should be developed based on the result of the survey. It must include a month-by-month timeline of events and activities, as well as the resources needed.
  6. Monitor the progress. The Go Green Initiative committee chairperson should receive a quarterly progress report on this timeline and share it with the school community and sponsors.
  7. Come up with an environmental vision statement or planet pledge to encapsulate what the Green Team wants to achieve. This statement or pledge can be repeated in different banners all over the campus or inspire creative activities to better create an impact on the minds of people.
  8. Form partnerships with the local recycling coordinator, the city government (since they are often eager to partner with local schools in encouraging earth-friendly behaviors), and other interested businesses and civic organizations to really succeed in the project.
  9. Get funding in the form of projects that promote the goals of the program, like serving as community collection points for recycling aluminum cans, paper and ink cartridges.
  10. Lobby for integrating the environment into the existing curricula in science, art, humanities, math, etc. Real-world problem-solving skills are enhanced when the school is used as a hands-on laboratory, a place where practical initiatives like saving water and energy or recycling materials can be undertaken. Moreover, suggest more outdoor activities or classes held in local nature spots.
  11. Since greening programs usually unify the whole school and community, whenever there are major green school successes, inform everyone about it! Involve them in more activities. And celebrate!
  12. Check out the following links for more information:

            7 Steps to a Green School (adapted from Eco-Schools International)
            Tips for Parents: Green Your School, Green Your Home
            Checklist for Schools: Getting Started

Hopefully, with more schools going for the Go Green Initiative, the collective impact on the country will be felt by all.

Sources:

“7 Steps to green your school.” Retrieved April 23, 2008 from
http://www.eco-schools.org/aboutus/howitworks.htm
“Frequently Asked Questions.” Retrieved April 23, 2008 from
http://gogreeninitiative.org/content/FAQ.html
“Get started.” Retrieved April 23, 2008 from
http://gogreeninitiative.org/content/GetStarted/index.html=
“What's the problem?” Retrieved April 23, 2008 from
http://gogreeninitiative.org/content/WhyGoGreen/
“Why start in schools?” Retrieved April 23, 2008 from
http://gogreeninitiative.org/content/WhyGoGreen/WhyStartInSchools.html

(Published 28 April 2008, Smart Schools Program)