Cool Schools

Introduction

The Clean Air Partnership’s (CAP) Cool Schools Program works with Toronto and area schools to promote environmental awareness, reduce energy consumption, and make schools healthy places of learning.

In 2004 CAP entered into a unique partnership with the Toronto District School Board’s (TDSB) EcoSchools Program. EcoSchools is a joint program of the Board’s Facility and School Services (curriculum) departments. It focuses on linking curriculum initiatives with actions in schools to conserve energy, minimize waste and green school grounds by:

• promoting the development of school ground green spaces, which help filter the surrounding air, act as wind blocks (thereby reducing energy use within the school), and shade children from dangerous UV rays;
• promoting energy conservation and waste minimization; and
• promoting safe and alternative transportation options to and from schools.

Keeping our natural environment healthy for future generations depends on everyone’s participation, and schools and school boards have a vital role to play in achieving this goal. The Toronto District School Board's EcoSchools program makes environmental protection and sustainable behaviour part of school life: it involves the participation of the entire school community in activities that not only improve the health and comfort of schools and communities, but also save money by reducing energy use and solid waste generation.





In working with TDSB EcoSchools, CAP has re-launched its Cool Schools Program, aimed to inspire a new generation of environmentally conscious citizens by enabling students, teachers and parents to participate meaningfully in initiatives within their schools and communities.

Through Cool Schools, CAP has worked with the Toronto District School Board to develop the EcoSchools Certification program. By means of an annual assessment, the certification process helps schools to set goals for improvement and allows formal recognition of the excellent environmental protection work that schools are doing. It also helps track the overall effectiveness of environmental initiatives across the Board.

The Clean Air Partnership coordinates an annual EcoSchools Certification Awards Ceremony, which promotes environmental action by celebrating the achievements of schools that have become bronze, silver or gold EcoSchools.

The ceremony will:

• recognize and publicize the efforts and leadership of youth and educators in finding local solutions to conserve energy and reduce waste;
• communicate schools' local environmental improvement efforts to the wider community;
• promote youth and educators as role models; and,
• encourage and motivate individuals to take personal and collective action by highlighting positive, do-able local activities and projects.

Participating schools are invited to Toronto City Hall to celebrate their achievements and receive public acknowledgement of their efforts. Participants will be invited to receive their EcoSchools Certfication Poster and bronze, silver or gold seals from representatives of the City of Toronto including the mayor and councillors and TDSB trustees and staff. Members of the public and media are welcome to attend.

> 2005 EcoSchools Certification Award Ceremony

> 2004 EcoSchools Certification Award Ceremony

Article: Ecoschools-The Promise of Partnership (PDF)

Cool Schools History

Between 1996 – 2002, the Cool Schools Program of the Clean Air Partnership 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.

For over six years, Cool Schools operated a grants based program, fully funded by the Toronto Atmospheric Fund. During that period, 124 grants were provided, totaling almost $260,000. The grants were used to implement alternative transportation options, to enhance school ground green space, introduce energy conservation and renewable energy projects, and to assist with incorporating climate change into the curriculum.

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.