Air Date: Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Going Green at School
It may surprise you to hear that schools spend more money on electricity every year than on textbooks and computers combined. That's why many students here in South Florida are Going Green inside the Classroom. We're showing you how in today's Parent to Parent.
WSVN -- Brittany Diamond: "Today we're going to break up into our energy teams that I divided everyone into."
Students at Miami Palmetto Senior High School are geared up and ready to take action when it comes to saving energy.
Brittany Diamond: "This is to raise energy awareness, energy conservation awareness, to teachers and other students and staff."
They just kicked off a new project called Turn It Off, posting signs in every classroom reminding teachers and students to turn off the lights when they leave the room. It's all part of a green school initiative aimed at raising awareness and cutting down on energy costs.
Jane Gilbert: "The Miami-Dade School District alone spends $77 million a year on electricity costs."
So students here are working to bring down that huge number with recycling and carpool programs. Seven's Parenting Expert Dr. Valerie Goode says being wasteful at school usually means the same at home.
Dr. Valerie Goode: "So we dispose of everything. We've got to unlearn all of those really bad habits."
Dr. Valerie says schools can play a big role in helping kids to learn to save energy. It's a good lesson to let kids come up with projects the entire school can be a part of.
Pam Shlachtman: "I think it's important for the kids to know that as an individual you can make an impact, that it really has to start with one."
Environmental science teacher Pam Shlachtman encourages her students to create going-green programs, like Plant the Pride, where native trees are planted on school grounds.
Pam Shlachtman: "They can come back 10 years from now and still see the trees there, and it builds a sense of pride."
Another program called Dream In Green gives each school a challenge, then awards the one that saves the most energy.
Jane Gilbert: "We actually measure the results for each school in electricity savings, waste reduction, waste recycled and trees planted, translated into CO2 emissions reduced."
Students say the program has made them more aware of their surroundings and the power they have to help save the planet.
Alexander Li: "You need to let everybody know what are the issues in the world, and, secondly, you need to take action, and I think that this program incorporates both of them very well."
Miranda Marraccini: "I think it has shown people you can make a great difference in our carbon footprint and in the world by doing little things."
Lynn Martinez: "Every little bit does help. The Dream In Green program is now in 14 schools in Miami-Dade County and is hoping to move into Broward County."
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Dream In Green
www.dreamingreen.org
