More Good News about Green Schools

by Claris Olson, HSC Environmental Health Specialist

Aren’t green schools just the best?  If you aren’t convinced yet, check out this article from the School Library Journal that profiles green schools across the country. 

The article includes information from the early leaders like Fossil Ridge High School in Ft. Collins, Colorado to one of our favorites -- the Great Seneca Elementary School in Germantown, Maryland. 

In addition to saving money through more energy efficient building design, these school buildings are also reducing their emissions of carbon dioxide, one of the most significant contributors to global warming. 

Of course, energy efficiency is only one piece of the pie that makes for a sustainable school.  The U.S.  Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) for schools also includes criteria for other important attributes such as sustainable site selection, water efficiency, sustainable materials and indoor air quality.   

From the relatively short-term benefits in energy savings to the long-term benefits of a better, healthier learning environment for students to reducing global warming -- we can’t afford not to go green.