The Green Schools Climate Commitment, with two levels of commitment, is the cornerstone of the GSA program. It was developed to engage all Pre-K to grade 12 schools as global climate leaders in their own communities. This Pledge is a roadmap that supports schools to reach their carbon reduction goals by establishing benchmarks for success. By asking schools to reduce their carbon footprint and to document their on-going progress with the GSA, others will learn from their efforts. In partnership with national, state and local partners, the GSA supports signatory schools by directing them to the tools and resources they need.
Background
The 2007 report from the U.N. Foundation and Sigma Xi: The Scientific Research Society concludes that we need to stop growth in greenhouse gas emissions by between 2015 and 2020 in order to forestall unmanageable climate change.
According to the U.S. EPA 2006 Emissions Inventory, the CO2 emitted from burning fossil fuels (coal, oil & natural gas) represents over 90% of net U.S. greenhouse gas emissions. The Department of Energy calculates that buildings consume over 40% of total energy—including 70% of America’s electricity—and account for 38% of carbon emissions in the US. The U.S. Green Building Council now requires that all new buildings reduce their total CO2 footprint by at least 50% compared to minimum energy code requirements in order to become certified to the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) standards. Experts estimate that over half of the energy used in buildings is wasted and can be cost-effectively eliminated using currently available technology.
Goals
The GSA Program connects national, state and local, public/private partners with school communities to develop programs that meet school needs, while maximizing the environmental benefits to the greatest number. Our long-term goal is to ensure a safe and healthy environment for future generations by helping school communities to implement sustainable, energy smart solutions today. The GSA recognizes the leadership role that students and schools can play to solve our environmental challenges. In an effort to protect our shared future from unmanageable climate change and environmental degradation, GSA programs:
BUILD a critical mass that unites our individual concerns into collective action.
CREATE a framework that encourages and supports the goal of Carbon Neutrality by 2020.
EDUCATE the broadest range of stakeholders about the environmental issues facing our world and the benefits of making sustainable choices.
INSPIRE environmental stewardship, personal responsibility, leadership & cooperation.
EMPOWER our school communities to become part of the environmental solution.
