A natural, non-toxic environment is much more conducive to learning than a dark, chemical-filled concrete prison. Even though this might seem obvious, many schools in North America where children spend an estimated 8,104 hours of their time between kindergarten and grade six, are designed like prisons.
Green schools save, on average, more than $100,000 per year reports the US Green Building Council; and they use 33% less energy, save 32% more water and reduce solid waste by 74%. However, the benefits from “greening” a school environment go far beyond waste reduction. Schools can operate as living classrooms where students are provided with examples of sustainability, environmental stewardship and a strong sense of hope for a better, greener future.
Compost
School compost programs are becoming increasingly popular in North America. Schools encourage snack and lunch-leftover composting through education programs. Many schools start by composting their kitchen waste from school cafeterias. Schools benefit from reducing their waste disposal costs and improve their school grounds by applications of compost to school gardens or greenspaces. Vemicomposting (composting with worms) is a big hit with students.
Children's bodies and physiological systems undergo substantial growth and development from conception through adolescence, and children are particularly sensitive to chemical interference.
Clean Green and Pesticide Free
Children with developing bodies and an increased respiratory rate are much more susceptible to the toxic emissions and off-gassing from noxious cleaning supplies and pesticides. Polluted Children, Toxic Nation: A Report on Pollution in Canadian Families, from Environmental Defense, states that children's bodies and physiological systems undergo substantial growth and development from conception through adolescence, and children are particularly sensitive to chemical interference. The report also highlights two vulnerable areas of growth are the brain and nervous system, both of which are not fully developed until the age of 10 or 12. Keeping a school free of toxic cleaning products, building materials and having a schoolyard free of pesticides or chemical fertilizers will make a significant contribution to improving student health and protecting the environment.
Computers
Not all computers are created equally. Many in fact contain a host of problems including hazardous and toxic substances. The inability to successfully recycle the discarded equipment is now attracting global concern. Electronic or e-waste, a 21st century phenomena, refers to the broken or obsolete computers, printers, televisions, stereos and telephones that have now entered the world’s waste stream. Greenpeace International estimates globally more than 20-50 million tons of e-waste are generated each year. Choosing the greenest computers is important. Greenpeace publishes the Guide To Greener Electronics where electronic manufacturers are ranked on their reduction of harmful substances and take-back recycling programs. Nokia, Sony Ericsson and Dell were in the top three and Apple, Hewlett Packard and Panasonic were in the bottom three of the Guide to Greener Electronics.
Computers should be turned off when not in use. Computers and other electronic devices left in standby, or vampire mode, are a major contributor to energy waste. The Green Party Canada reports standby power accounts for 10% of US residential electrical power consumption costing more than $6 billion dollars annually.
Paper
American colleges and universities create about 3.6 million tons of waste each year, which amounts to about 2 percent of the country’s total waste stream reports The Green Book. The average school tosses 38 tons of paper per year, more than 8 million sheets. Recycling one ton of paper saves an estimated 15 trees. Schools can help eliminate paper waste by setting up an easy to use recycling system for students.
Greening school grounds has been linked with a decrease in schoolyard accidents, a reduction in incidents of bullying, less absenteeism and fewer classroom management problem.
Trees and Gardens
Most schoolyards in North America are a combination of concrete, parking lots and fertilizer covered playing fields. Not exactly the natural environment we imagine for our children. Yet Edward Cheskey, author of How Schoolyards Influence Behavior, reports that by the end of the 6th grade a child spends an estimated 1,800 hours or 257 school days just in their schoolyard. Nature Natures: Investigating the Potential of School Grounds, a report by Evergreen, found that school grounds, by their design and the way they are managed, convey messages and meanings to children that influence their attitude and behavior in a variety of ways.
Edible landscapes or school gardens are increasingly becoming more popular at schools around the world. Children are able to interact with the environment as part of their course curriculum, learn about urban agriculture, and often take part in growing food that is then served by the school cafeteria. Greening school grounds has been linked with a decrease in schoolyard accidents, a reduction in incidents of bullying, less absenteeism, fewer classroom management problems, an increase in academic scores, extra pride in the school and an overall enthusiasm for learning.
Idle Free Zones
Engine idling is a serious contributor to greenhouse gases. Natural Resources Canada reports children are especially susceptible to carbon emissions due to their developing lungs and need to take in oxygen at an increased rate; exposing them to increased amounts of particulate matter which is believed to cause respiratory related illnesses. School parking lots are often hot spots for idling vehicles – as caregivers drop off and pick up children in early morning (when children are arriving) and afternoon (when children are leaving). Statistics show parents participate in unnecessary engine idling more than any other group. Simple idle free signs are often an inadequate deterrent for engine idling parents.
Animal Dissection
Continuing to include animal dissection in science classes and keeping caged animals in a green school sends the wrong message to children. Part of greening a school is encouraging children to see the interconnectivity between all living beings.
The National Anti-Vivisection Society reports that dissection has been criticized for its destructive desensitizing effect on students. Building An Ark author Ethan Smith estimates more than six million animals are dissected each year in the United States. Digital Frog offers an alternative to dissecting real animals; students instead use a “digital scalpel” and an interactive CD to learn about the anatomy of the frog, without the toxic formaldehyde. Teaching students to respect biodiversity in the world is incongruent with cutting into animals or keeping animals and amphibians in small cages and tanks in the classroom. Schools can encourage respect for the environment by setting examples in their classrooms.
Wireless Free Zone
Although many scientists are still divided about the effects of electronic emissions, there is currently enough conflicting information to give cause for concern. In fact, Sweden recognizes electromagnetic emission sensitivity as a form of medical illness. Until the rest of the world catches up why take any chances with students’ health. Schools can implement simple electromagnetic emission free zones by eliminating wireless internet access and establishing a cell phone free zone.
Resources
Build Green Schools: http://www.buildgreenschools.org/
Eco Schools: http://www.eco-schools.org/
The Edible Schoolyard: http://www.edibleschoolyard.org/
Environmental Defense: http://www.environmentaldefence.ca/
Green Teacher: http://www.greenteacher.com/
The National Anti-Vivisection Society: http://www.navs.org/
Schools Go Green: http://www.gogreeninitiative.org/
Green Pages
The Jane Goodall Institute Roots & Shoots Program teaches young people to care for animals, human community and environment. Since the program’s inception in 1991, more than 100,000 youth have participated in more than 100 countries: http://www.janegoodall.ca
Digital Frog International provides a computer-generated alternative to dissecting dead frogs in science classes: http://www.digitalfrog.com/
Two Angry Moms is a documentary movie (and movement) about two mothers’ quest to improve school lunches: http://www.angrymoms.org/
All Jacked Up: Hungry For The Truth? is a documentary look at four American teenagers searching for the truth behind “ their obsessive, addictive, and emotion-fueled eating habits”: http://alljackedupmovie.com/
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