Green Schools Alliance (GSA) is an initiative started by schools around the world to help solve problems related to climate change and protecting the environment. It works by creating a network where schools work together to lower their greenhouse gas emissions and help schools put eco-friendly solutions into action more quickly.
GSA schools share and use the best ways to be eco-friendly, and they help schools, communities, and the natural world work together. GSA does this by setting up discussion groups, sharing resources, offering new programs and lessons, and helping young people connect with nature. People who help with sustainability in the network include teachers, staff, students, school leaders, and others who make decisions for the school.
History
The GSA was created in October 2007 by Margaret Howard Watson because of Mayor Michael Bloomberg's PlaNYC and a challenge for all NYC buildings to cut carbon emissions by 30% by 2050. It received help from the NYC Mayor's Office of Long-Term Planning and Sustainability, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), the Clinton Climate Initiative (CCI), Consolidated Edison, the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), and the National Business Officers Association (NBOA).
The Allen-Stevenson School in New York City held the first GSA planning meeting, where schools gathered to talk about climate change and discuss "what schools can do about it," and to review the GSA Commitment. With help from the American College & University Presidents' Climate Commitment (ACUPCC), Second Nature, and AASHE, the GSA's commitment for primary and secondary schools was improved.
In November 2007, with 40 schools that agreed to join, the GSA was introduced to the public at the US Green Building Council's annual GreenBuild Conference. President Bill Clinton mentioned the GSA during his keynote speech. Today, the GSA is listed as one of the organizations working with the Climate Education and Literacy Initiative started by the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP).
Green Schools Alliance today
The 501c3 nonprofit organization connects more than 9,000 schools, districts, and organizations worldwide, representing more than 5 million students in 48 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and 88 countries. Schools can join individually or as entire school districts to share sustainability best practices and reduce their environmental footprint. In January 2016, 21 school districts formed the Green Schools Alliance District Collaborative to use their combined influence and resources. These districts build and share best practices and use their combined purchasing power to increase access to sustainable alternatives, help change the market, and influence policy decisions.
Membership to the GSA's online community is free. Schools and districts can also pledge the Sustainability Leadership, where principals, heads of school, and superintendents promise to take action in these areas: Reduce Our Climate & Ecological Impact, Educate & Engage Our Community, and Transform Our Culture.
Programs
GSA programs work to connect learning with real-world actions and track progress over time. Schools and buildings are used as places where students, teachers, and staff can take part in projects such as recycling, insulating buildings, checking energy use, replacing lights, fixing old heating systems, improving science and technology lessons, repairing wetlands, and growing plants on rooftops. Good methods used in schools are meant to spread to homes and workplaces. GSA programs include:
- Green Cup Challenge
- Student Climate & Conservation Corps (Sc3)
- GSA Online Community
- GSA Sustainability Leadership Commitment
- GSA Purchasing Solution
- OnAir Schools
- protostar
- Sustainability Tracking and Roadmap Tool (START)