Katy Bynum Published: Feb 24, 2012

'Toolkit' Educating Administrators, Teachers, Students

Saving energy and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions may come a little easier for states like California which offer a "Schools Toolkit" to help teach school administrators, teachers and students about the benefits of conservation.

Because public facilities such as schools are so massive in size, they expend plenty of energy and contribute to CO2 emissions. According to the toolkit, though, schools couldl save "about 20 percent through implementation of simple energy-efficiency actions."

Using the toolkit, a school can test its carbon footprint with different climate calcuatlors to see where the biggest difficiencies exist. Case studies willl show administrators how other schools have approached and improved carbon footprints.

The toolkit also provides information about low-cost, and in some instances free, actions schools can enact to control its effect on the enviornment and climate.

For example, water usage and energy consumption are two very controlable resources and learning how to best use them benefits the school and the environment.

Other tips: Occupany sensors for lighting can also help save energy by automatically turning off when a room isn't in use; even having copying machines set to automatically print front and back (duplexing) can be effective; teachers and students alike should set computers to sleep mode when activity stops for more than five minutes; and when the heat or air is running, keep windows and doors closed.

Other areas schools could focus on inlcude recycling, building, purchasing, transportioan and using green energy, according to the coolcalfornia.org website.

Additionally, teachers can get the student body involved with cirriculum about the environment and climate concerns. Creating an "energy patrol" team of students to make sure lights are turned off when not needed can get everyone involved and raise awareness about wastefulness.

Some organizations and utility companies provide rebates, grants or low-interest loans to implement energy-efficient and green initiatives, and the toolkit will help schools indentify those programs.

Furthermore, the toolkit will educate schools about third-party recognition programs, which evaluate and rate a school's environmental impact and achievements.

To get a Schools Toolkit, visit CoolCalifornia.org, or contact Heather Choi at (916) 322-3893 or hchoi@arb.ca.gov.