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Education

Teaching our kids about the importance of preserving the environment is the key to preserving a pristine planet for future generations to enjoy. Learning how to incorporate eco-friendly practices into every facet of our lives at an early age will help shape young minds, create huge potential for green technology and green jobs, and help to eventually build solutions into many of the problems we now face. When considering a school for you or your kids, or simply reviewing a school or university you or your kids may attend now, be sure to consider the following points.



Bike Program: Biking is not only a more sustainable option as far as caring for the environment is concerned. It is also a good way to exercise as opposed to driving automobiles. It would be great to support schools that offer a bike share program.



BYOBC Program: Some school cafeterias now offer discounts to students who bring their own beverage cups for coffee or cola. This is one of the best ways to encourage students to use their own cups instead of using plastic or Styrofoam ones.



Campus Recycling: It would be great if the school you are considering openly encourages recycling programs for students and teachers to follow. With proper guidance and support, the school's effort will surely echo through different parts of the community.



Career Paths: Universities that offer majors in recycling, ecology or the environment often offer career paths to support these majors. Expect some direction in building a meaningful career around this advocacy.



Charging Stations: A great way to envision a sustainable future is to imagine schools offering solar charging stations for students and teachers to utilize. Do no be afraid to contribute by learning more about energy crisis and promoting sustainable alternatives.




Community Garden: Having a thriving campus or community garden to supply the school's cafeteria can be beneficial for many reasons. For one, it can be a source of livelihood for local growers. Another is that they are grown near the campus so that the products are guaranteed fresh. More importantly, this will help minimize the purchase of commercial goods that use chemicals for better harvest and profit.



Compost Practices: You can do your share in separating cafeteria food so that vegetables and fruits can be composted and used around the school flower beds or gardens. If there are separate bins for biodegradable and non-biodegradable waste, you can contribute by throwing your leftovers in the proper trash can.


Earth Friendly Products: Using green cleaning products instead of toxic chemicals around the school premise is not only safe for the environment, but for the students as well. Do not be afraid to inform school administrators about the benefits of using non-chemical products in keeping the school clean.

Eco-Committment: If the school you’re considering attending is truly serious about the environment, you should be able to easily find anextensive environmental policy listed on their website for everyone to easily find and view. If not, don’t be afraid to ask,"why not?”. Your attendance at this campus represents the potential for thousands of dollars to come into the local community. Don’t be afraid to hold them to a higher standard and ask them to earn your business.


Electric Vehicles: In the near future, schools may make use of electric vehicles which are recharged using solar power stations. Electric cars are known to have smooth and strong acceleration. They were popular for some time until cheaper gasoline vehicles became more accessible to the mass market in the early 20th century. The good news is the benefits of electric vehicles for a sustainable environment has encouraged its come back in the recent years.


Environmental Activities: Most private and public schools involve their students in different types of recycling activities in and around the school. Should this opportunity present itself, make sure you enjoy it and learn from the experience. If this has not happened yet, do not be afraid to take the initiative and suggest this campaign to your teachers. Something good will surely come out of it.


Environmental Majors: Be sure to search out the best institutions that provide environmental education. These programs are almost mandatory in certain areas of the world Life-long learning through academic awareness will eventually help develop responsible citizens capable of applying their knowledge for socio-cultural, economic, and ecological good.


Extensive Documentation: Institutions that claim to care for the environment typically will sponsor or conduct hundreds of activities taken on behalf of protecting the environment. The school should have documentations and photos verifying its historical record. Don't be bashful about openly inquiring about the existence of these activities.

Extra Credit: As a class project, look into performing environmental audits of local businesses. When complete, present alternatives that will help them reduce pollutants, save energy and consider switching to sustainable resources whenever possible.


Filtered Air: An excess heat recovery system removes polluted air from a room and replaces it with clean filtered air. With the right size for the room, your facility can provide fresh air without the need for other types of ventilation that use a lot of energy.


Get Informed: Becoming informed is the whole idea behind being going to school and getting a first class education. Don't feel you have to take anyone's word at face value. Keep yourself informed about where the recycled wastes are heading to be sure they are not simply being dumped in the local landfill in spite of your efforts.


Get Involved: Schools, as an educational institution, educate students and perhaps the community on how different waste products generated are properly treated and recycled. Do not hesitate to learn more by being attentive in class and by participating in activities that involve recycling and proper waste management.

Green Power: Schools are among the institutions that use a lot of energy. Check if the school you are considering attending has a contract in place for a minimum designated amount of green energy to power their campus.


Letter Writing: You can also contribute by encouraging letter writing campaigns to local politicians who are charged with enacting protective legislation.


Local Vendors: Doing business locally helps the local economy and severely cuts down on the amount of energy required to move products to market. Check to see how judiciously your college stacks up in this very important area.

Mass Transit: Seek out schools that offer mass transit or encourage car pooling for students and teachers. The main goal is to save fuel usage while promoting camaraderie among colleagues and classmates.

Natural Lighting: One of the best ways to cut down energy use is to provide natural lighting by taking advantage of the sun. Many schools are doing this by designing buildings with architecture that allows more light inside the establishment.


Purchasing Policy: Schools that focus on the environment care about the long term benefits for the children of the future. As a result, most of these schools implement a policy of only doing business with entities whom exhibit the bes t of intentions toward the environment. Before you choose a school, ask for a copy of their purchasing policy.


Recycled Goods Policy: Purchasing recycled or recyclable materials help minimize the amount of waste dumped in landfills. On top of that, it helps generate income for small local businesses that thrive on recycled products. Educational institutions that support this effort care enough for the environment that they create policies around this concept.

Recycle Funds: One of the best ways to take part in the effort to save the environment is by joining school organizations that aim for this purpose. Collecting recyclable materials and selling some of the waste generated to recycling centers is one of the ways to generate funds for the organization.

Solar Power: There are a couple of educational institutions that include roof solar panels for power generation. Supporting your school's effort to use alternative source of energy is a very good way of promoting a more sustainable future.


Sorted Details: Handling different types of wastes by sorting into specially marked receptacles is a good indication that an institution takes it's social responsibility seriously. Don't be afraid to ask to see what goes on behind tall fences. Your good intentions will surely be acknowledged by an administration staff that cares about the environment.

Technology: If you are knowledgeable about computers or technology in general, you can make a difference by monitoring or working with local polluters to offer new technology and help them improve their environmental record.

Vegan Menus: Part of the campaign to a healthier environment is to live a healthy lifestyle as well. School cafeterias are now encouraged to offer vegan and vegetarian menus to introduce students to organic food.

Waste Oil: Cooking oils from the cafeteria can be converted into biodiesel. Do not hesitate to inform the management or staff about how they can still benefit from used oils.


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