Background
	What's the Problem?
	Cool Schools News
	Eco Schools

Please note that the Cool School Program is no longer accepting applications for funding.

Background

For over five years, the Cool Schools Program of CAP has been engaging Toronto students in activities that improve local air quality. The energy and enthusiasm of thousands of students, parents and school staff is helping Toronto achieve its climate change commitments while cleaning the air.

Through changes in energy use, travel patterns and environmental knowledge, schools are leading the way as Toronto works to achieve its ambitious greenhouse gas reduction target of 20 per cent by the year 2005.

What's the Problem?

Our dependence on fossil fuels - oil, coal and gas - to power industry, run our cars and heat and cool our homes has led to a steady increase in global temperatures over the past century. As fossil fuels are burned, "greenhouse gases" are released into the atmosphere, trapping the sun's heat. This human induced climate change (often referred to as "global warming") is destabilizing the earth's natural rhythms.

Globally, the increase in temperature over the 20th century has led to increased frequency of extreme weather events such as forest fires, melting of the polar caps, heat waves, droughts, flooding and snow and ice storms. Changing temperatures are also leading to the extinction of many plant and animal species.

Locally, our quality of life is suffering. Higher temperatures are associated with increased smog, and for many people, smog means asthma and other respiratory problems. Since children's air passages are smaller than adults, kids are especially at risk on smog days. Also, extreme weather events like snow storms and heat waves isolate and impact the most vulnerable in our community, the elderly and the poor.

Fortunately, there's lots we can do to stabilize our climate, and kids can be part of that solution!

• We can transform our transportation habits. Traveling to school by car not only deprives children of valuable time with their parents and robs them of exercise and fresh air; it generates greenhouse gases and causes smog. But there are other ways to get to school that are healthier, safer and gentler on the environment. Cool Schools encourages students and staff to walk, cycle, use public transit and form carpools as alternatives to driving to school.
• We can commit to being efficient in our use of energy. To save energy and money, and to involve the students in real, calculable change, consider incorporating energy and water efficiency improvements into your school. We should also shift away from the use of fossil fuels, where possible, and embrace sources of renewable energy such as wind and solar.
• We can minimize waste: reduce, re-use, recycle!
• We can invest in conservation and greening initiatives. The sky's the limit on the naturalization possibilities for your school yard. From planting berry trees to growing vegetables, and from butterfly gardens to compost bins - let the kids decide. Eliminating the use of toxic pesticides (if you still use them) on school property should be at the top of your list. One of the most popular school ground activities, tree planting, is a great way for kids to connect with their environment, create a local "carbon dioxide sink," cool the area, provide shade from the sun's rays, create a wind and noise break, and conserve energy.
• We can live responsibly, and in harmony with the planet.

Cool Schools encourages and supports environmentally friendly behaviour and practices in schools. And Cool Schools stands proudly as a proven example of how young people and indeed whole school communities can become involved in change for the good.

Cools Schools newsletter

Fall 2001
Spring 2001

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