Green Schools - Saving Money & Setting an Example!
Great article in Greenbiz this week about a new national (U.S.) study showing that building ‘green’ can translate into average savings of $100,000 per year, or roughly the equivalent of two full-time teacher salaries!
Wow.
I personally believe that green design and contruction should be a given when it comes to schools, regardless of the price tag - so needless to say when I learn that green schools not only DON’T cost more, they actually save heaps of cash (among other great benefits), I get pretty excited!
Here is a blurb:
Sponsored by the American Federation of Teachers, the American Institute of Architects, the American Lung Association, the Federation of American Scientists and the US Green Building Council, the report includes a detailed analysis of 30 green schools built in 10 states between 2001 and 2006. The analysis demonstrates that the total financial benefits of green schools are 20 times greater than the initial cost, and include energy and water savings, and improved student health and test scores. If all new school construction and school renovations went “green” starting today, energy savings alone would total $20 billion over the next 10 years.
20 BILLION dollars! That’s a lot of dough ray me! Don’t think there are too many economists who could ignore numbers like that!
I’m certainly hopeful that we’ll see more greening of schools as a result of studies like this. Not only does it make financial sense, but it also serves a fantastic way to educate students about the importance of environmental responsibility.
If you have not read the Greebbiz article already be sure to check it out: Study Shows Going Green Saves Schools $100,000 a Year
Technorati Tags: school, school board, green contruction, green design, students, teachers, greenbiz, AFT
Written by Bentley on November 7th, 2006 with
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