Many of the most important decisions made about our nation's schools come at the state level. State legislatures are leading the way when it comes to promoting schools that are environmentally responsible, conducive to health and learning, and cost-effective. As prominent voices in their state governments, state legislators have a primary role to play in the promotion of public policies that not only benefit and enrich their communities but also represent smart financial investments during these challenging economic times. And greening our schools to improve student and teacher performance, to promote responsible climate change policy and to save school districts money is no exception.
A truly nationwide movement
With a rising tide of green building legislation being introduced across all 50 states and with the deterioration of statewide public school infrastructures, state lawmakers – with the support of the U.S. Green Building Council and its 78 chapters across the country – have launched the "50 For 50" green schools caucus initiative. The initiative seeks to encourage and support the formation of a green schools caucus in every state legislature in the country within two years.
Designed to serve as a catalyst for forward-thinking state legislators to coordinate, educate and reach out to their colleagues and constituents about the many benefits of green schools – from construction to renovation to curriculum to operations and maintenance – the caucuses will serve as an information resource for this increasingly sophisticated and complex public policy area. Caucus members will have access to:
- The latest innovations and developments in green building policies, including trends, cost-benefit studies and incentives offered by localities to advance and promote green building.
- Networking opportunities with like-minded legislators across the country.
- Opportunities for partnerships with experts in their communities, from architects to engineers to contractors.
- Opportunities to present best practices and successes in regional and national forums.
Six state legislators launched at the 50 for 50 initiative at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., during “Back to School” week in September 2008. Those legislators are:
Contact USGBC to see about a green schools caucus or working group in your state legislature. All about green schools
By their very nature, schools are an investment in the future, preparing the next generation of leaders and paving the way for tomorrow’s innovations. State legislators can have an enormous impact on our nation’s goals and priorities when they unite around a common goal. This initiative will provide solid platforms and support structures for leading lawmakers to take advantage of the many opportunities that exist to make our nation’s schools greener, our students and teachers healthier, and our communities stronger.
Green schools use less energy and less water. They maximize natural daylight to create a more comfortable environment that is conducive to learning. They have better acoustics and more comfortable and efficient climate control. They aim for healthier indoor air. And their natural systems, such as green roofs or solar panels, provide hands-on learning opportunities, creating a generation of "sustainability natives" who know instinctively how to make smart decisions about sustainable living.
According to "Greening America's Schools: Costs and Benefits" by Gregory Kats, green schools:
- Save an average of $70 per square foot over comparable conventional schools.
- Use 30-50% less energy.
- Use 30% less water.
» Learn more about the benefits of green schools.
» Get the stats: Read the latest green schools studies and research.
» Find out how the green schools movement is catching on where you live: Browse the green schools maps.
» View green schools videos and slideshows, see profiles of green schools and read student work in the resource library.