On Our Way to Greening Our Schools

Recently, a House panel approved the 21st Century Green High-Performing Public School Facilities Act, a bill that would entitle $6.4 billion in 2010 for school construction projects that meet certain environmental standards. Projects that could qualify include maximizing green space, finding ways to control room temperature with windows and building materials, maximizing daylight, using organic compound cleaning products and tapping into renewable energy sources like solar power. The bill would provide additional funding for such projects until 2015, by which time all publicly-funded school construction projects would have to meet environmental standards.

Ten states across the country already require new school construction to use renewable energy sources, but this bill would ensure that all students have access to healthy, eco-friendly environments. Many of our schools are in poor shape and overdue for renovations. Outdated building materials contribute not only to wasted energy and inefficiency, but they also contribute to increasing health problems for students. Hazardous materials like asbestos are still only optional for districts to remove. New laws would revitalize school building codes, making them healthier learning places for students and teachers alike.

Students who grow up immersed in an environment built around sustainable living will accept these practices as habits and carry sustainable values with them in their lives beyond the classroom. Starting early is crucial to growing the cultural mindset necessary to preserve our planet for generations to come. Don’t you think?