As the old cliché goes, “the children are our future”. Over a decade after the United Nations’ Earth Summit gathered 172 governments to key in on environmental issues, school systems have begun recognizing that the strategy for change should start with the world’s youth. What better ambassadors for a green future than the academies that help mold young minds to achieve greatness.
It was as if a light bulb turned on – a low wattage, solar powered, LED bulb. The shift from consumerism towards sustainable alternatives furnished a new wave of green-collar business folk. Thus, the demand for formal greenducation was born. What began as the odd class has evolved into undergraduate degrees, MBA’s and doctorates. In 2007, Arizona State University opened the doors to its School of Sustainability – the first school completely dedicated to sustainable education.
In just five short years, sustainability-focused education has gone from a rare pleasantry to practically a commodity. Last year, a survey was given to students applying to post-secondary facilities in the United States; 69% said ‘having information about a college's commitment to environmental issues would contribute to their decision to apply to or attend’ (http://www.usatoday.com/news/education/2011-04-20-green-college-campus-princeton-review.htm ).
In conjunction with providing greenducation, colleges and universities have advocated sustainability through campus initiatives and research hubs. These efforts were put to the test in 2010, when the Universitas Indonesia founded the UI GreenMetric World University Ranking. Their metrics scrutinize everything from energy and water consumption to innovative initiatives.
“But I already did my four year degree in basket weaving – I wish they had those great programs when I was in school”. Fret not, old chum. In addition to degrees, many schools offer condensed certifications that can be done at night or online.
These educational vessels are among the most important factors in fostering a green generation. Acting as a model for sustainability by using campus facilities as a kind of laboratory, they provide an exemplary portrayal of how the rest of the world should behave. The success of these college and university programs has yielded a trickle-down in the educational system. Secondary schools have begun integrating the emphasis on carbon reduction into curriculums. If we are smart, this trickle down will continue to the point that when our children or grandchildren go to dispose of their juice box at recess – they’ll be looking for the blue bin.
Be an ambassador for green. Be a pioneer for change. If your educational facility has yet to provide sustainable programs, talk to someone on the board and offer your help. And if you see someone moving and they’re using cardboard boxes, walk up and politely tell them to get frogged.
Image courtesy of: http://www.sutmundo.com/