Lay the foundation for change in the minds and hands of the future by ak1013

Dear ak1013, It's very important to implement the consciousness of Environment and Energy Efficiency at early ages. The consumption culture has grown by humans and it can be set back only by us. I believe in some of the States there are different programs similar to what your proposing, such as Green Schools in MA and CA. However that is not enough. This initiative should be taken by more states and applied in their education systems as well as Schools Facilities Management. Can you recommend ways to promote this initiative in all States? Are there any policies or legislative actions that could be taken by the government to make this program applicable? The emphasis on consciousness of children is a great step in improving the future of planet Earth! Best regards, Gunesh

Great proposal and very important undertaking. In order to reduce the damage to the environment, slow down global warming, and leave a reasonably habitable and sustainable planet to the next generations, a real cultural change is needed. It's about reducing consumption, preserving nature, conserving resources, developing better and healthier agriculture, buying and eating locally, and many more aspects of human life. It's important to teach, to educate and to raise awareness, and it should start at elementary schools. There are 'environmental literacy' plans out there, and instead of letting each school decide if they want to integrate sustainability into the curriculum- it should be mandated or at least encouraged by local and state governments. http://www2.epa.gov/education/what-environmental-education Cheers !..

Good project. I like the idea of connecting parents and schools in the learning process. It's a validation process when kids do at home what they learn in school. Paulo

There is a critical need for improved “environmental literacy and sustainability into the curriculum and practice of all educational facilities, from kindergarten thru university”. I know of two resources which may be of interest here: 1) Green Schools Initiative (http://www.greenschools.net/ ) “The Green Schools Initiative was founded in 2004 by parent-environmentalists who were shocked by how un-environmental their kids' schools were and mobilized to improve the environmental health and ecological sustainability of schools in the U.S. We believe it is essential to protect children's health - at school and in the world beyond school - and we work to catalyze and support "green" actions by kids, teachers, parents, and policymakers to reduce the environmental footprint of schools by: Eliminating toxics Using resources sustainably Creating green schoolyards and buildings Serving healthy food and Teaching environmental literacy and stewardship. “We have trained about 2,000 educators from 350 schools and districts. We focus our efforts on K-12 schools and districts throughout California; and we collaborate with and support organizations and individuals in other states and nationally.” 2) Curriculum for the Bioregion (http://www.e3washington.org/featured-programs/item.html?id=11) "Curriculum for the Bioregion is an initiative of the Washington Center for Undergraduate Education that aims to better prepare undergraduates, as well as ourselves, their teachers, to live in a world where the complex issues of environmental quality, environmental justice, and sustainability are paramount. This program address these E3 goals: Get Together-Link schools, campuses, and community resources for student achievement, lifelong learning, and a sustainable future. Lead Green -Turn schools, campuses, businesses, and public places into models for sustainability. Go Out-Help everybody explore and discover their place within the natural and social communities that sustain us. Build Support-Garner funds to provide equitable, adequate coverage and meaningful impact of education for sustainable communities. “The tangible & non-tangible results of this program: Since 2006, the Curriculum for the Bioregion initiative has engaged over 700 faculty members at 32 colleges and universities in the greater Puget Sound bioregion in the integration of sustainability concepts and practices into their undergraduate courses. These integrative teaching-and-learning activities mostly focus on “learning in place”: on our campuses and in surrounding communities. At the heart of our approach is the creation of professional communities of practice (involving faculty, staff, and community leaders) who support each other to make new moves in their curriculum and teaching.”