School buildings represent the largest construction sector in the United States - $80 billion in 2006-2008. According to the 2006 “Greening America’s Schools: Costs and Benefits” report, it costs on average less than 2%, or about $3 per square foot more, to build a green versus traditional school, and payback often occurs within a few years due to energy savings. These savings offer not only environmental benefits, such as 585,000 lbs. of C02 reduction, but can offer enough financial rewards to hire up to two additional teachers. Due to the variety of environmental, health, and academic benefits of green schools, EDN has made a commitment with national partners to green all of America’s schools within a generation.

For several years, EDN performed green school demonstration projects that include: installation of a green roof on a hurricane-devastated school in New Orleans, creation of one of the first living walls at a school in the US, and installation of solar panels for schools in Chicago and Alexandria, Va. These demonstrations build support not only for public education on green schools, but a lso our Green Schools program. This effort seeks to create five signature green schools in five communities across U.S. We will complement these projects with policy reform efforts to create long-lasting change for green schools in each community.

As shown in the Kats report, green initiatives at schools increase student performance, improve teacher retention and save money and resources. To learn how to make your school a green school, contact us at education@earthday.net.