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Green Star Award – Guidance for Schools Page 1 of 17
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For successful implementation of any program at a school, there must be full
support and participation from the Principal and at least one Teacher.
First, form a “Green Kids Team” if you do not have one already. This team is expected to lead all
“Green” initiatives at school. The kids joining this team need to commit to be leaders and should
represent the rest of the school.
Recommendations for the Green Kids Team member selection:
Elementary School: Have two kids selected from each grade starting from Grade 2.
Higher grades (5th or some elementary schools 6th grades too) it is best to have
representatives from each section. Limit the total number to not exceed 16 students for
this leadership Green Kids Team
Middle School and High School: Have about 12 to 16 kids sign up
Guidance for Schools
Each of these areas is eligible for
“one” Green Star for the school. If all
five areas are achieved, the school
could become a “Five Green Star”
awarded School.
The core, known as the “Innovation”
program is eligible for the most
prestigious title, “Leader in
Environmental Sustainability”.
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Green Star Award – Guidance for Schools Page 2 of 17
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Energy Conservation and Alternate Resources
With the United Nations predicting world population growth from 6.6 billion in 2007 to
8.2 billion by 2030, demand for energy must increase substantially over that period. Both
population growth and increasing standards of living for many people will cause strong
growth in energy demand.
According to the Energy Information Administration's (EIA) statistics, the majority of the
energy used in USA is derived from fossil fuels: in 2009, EIA data showed 37% of the
nation's energy came from petroleum, 21% from coal, and 25% from natural gas. Nuclear
power supplied 9% and renewable energy supplied 8%, which was mainly from
hydroelectric dams although other renewables are included such as wind power,
geothermal and solar energy.
Energy consumption has increased at a faster rate than energy production over the last
fifty years in the U.S.(when they were roughly equal). This difference is now largely met
through imports.
These energy resources fall into two main categories, often called renewable and non-
renewable energy resources. Renewable resources are also often called alternative
sources of energy.
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Non-Renewable Energy Resources:
These can be divided into two types: fossil fuels and nuclear fuel.
1. Fossil fuels:
Fossil fuels are found within the rocks of the Earth's surface. They are called fossil fuels
because they are thought to have been formed many millions of years ago by geological
processes acting on dead animals and plants, just like fossils. Coal, oil and natural gas
are fossil fuels. Because they took millions of years to form, they are called non-
renewable. Once they are used up they cannot be replaced.
Advantages:
These fossil fuels are relatively cheap and are easier to get to it.
Disadvantage:
Apart from the fact that non-renewable resources are finite and do not last forever, it has
other disadvantages too.
When these fuels are burned they produce the gas carbon dioxide, which is a greenhouse
gas and is a major contributor to global warming. Transporting oil around the world can
produce oil slicks, pollute beaches and harm wildlife.
Some sources of coal are deep below the ground, and can be difficult, costly and
dangerous to mine. Burning coal without first purifying it contributes to global warming,
as well as to the production of smog (smoke and fog), which is harmful to health.
2. Nuclear fuel:
Nuclear fuel is made from naturally occurring radioactive materials, such as uranium,
found in rocks. These materials are extracted and concentrated. They are formed into 'fuel
rods'. When placed close together they set off nuclear reactions that generate heat. This
heat is used to turn water into steam and generate electricity. The world's source of
uranium and other radioactive materials is finite so it will not last forever.
This fuel is classed as non-renewable, even though concentrating the fuel further can
recycle some of the 'spent fuel'.
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Advantages:
Nuclear fuel does not produce greenhouse gases, so will not contribute to global
warming. There is a relatively long-lasting supply of material.
Disadvantages:
The waste remains radioactive for a long time (100+ years). If the reaction is not
contained and controlled well, then the nuclear reduction could go out of control and
radioactive material could then escape into the environment. Radiation causes cancers.
Renewable Energy Resources:
Some sources of energy are called renewable, because they will not run out. They include
solar energy, geothermal energy, energy from the wind and waves, energy from tides and
energy from biomass.
1. Solar energy
Every year the Earth receives about 300,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 kJ of energy. This
is a lot of energy. This energy drives processes in the atmosphere that cause the wind and
waves. Some energy is absorbed by green plants and used to make food through
photosynthesis.
Solar energy can be used to generate electricity in photovoltaic (PV) cells. A PV cell may
power your calculator. Photovoltaic cells are made of semiconductors, similar to those
used to make computer chips. Until recently these cells were very costly to produce. They
are getting cheaper and more efficient.
Advantages: The energy resource is renewable, non-polluting and relatively maintenance free.
Disadvantages: Cloud cover can reduce efficiency and PV cells are still quite expensive.
(To learn more about ways to educate your class about Solar, visit:
www.Solarenergy.org/solar-schools )
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2. Geothermal energy
The temperature at the earth's core is over 70,000 oC. The rocks not too far below the
surface are also quite hot, perhaps 500 oC about 1 km down. In some areas there are
'hotspots' where the temperature below the surface is higher. This is usually near where
the earth's tectonic plates meet. The existence of hot springs, geysers and volcanoes point
to evidence of hot rocks below the surface. In some places there are reservoirs of hot
water below the surface that can be tapped to provide energy. Hot water is pumped up
from below ground and is used to heat a number of nearby buildings.
Advantages: This source of thermal energy will not run out. It is renewable. The running costs can be
very low and it can be non-polluting.
Disadvantages: It can only be used in some areas around the world where the crust is thin, and hot rocks
are near the surface. Sometimes the hot water that is pumped to the surface contains
mineral pollutants such as sulphur.
3. Wind and Wave energy
a) Wind Energy:
Renewable energy from the wind has been used for centuries to power windmills to mill
wheat or pump water. More recently large wind turbines have been designed that are used
to generate electricity. The wind turbines are placed together in wind farms.
When the Earth absorbs some of the radiations from the sun, it heats up the ground. This
heated ground warms the air above it. Hot air rises in what are called convection currents.
The uneven heating of the earth's surface forms high and low pressure areas and thus
causing winds. For example, the winds caused by the uneven heating on land and sea.
Wind energy can be harnessed in areas that are subject to reasonably consistent and
strong winds. A 20-turbine wind farm can generate enough electricity (about 1MW) for a
small town. Turbines can produce between 500kW and 1MW of electricity.
Advantages This source of energy is non-polluting and freely available in many areas. Wind turbines
are becoming more efficient. The cost of the electricity they generate is reducing.
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Disadvantages To be efficient wind turbines need to be linked together in wind farms, often with about
20 turbines. This looks unsightly, and can be noisy. The wind farms also need to be sited
reasonably close to populations so that the electricity generated can be distributed. Winds
are intermittent and do not blow all the time.
Picture shows a wind farm
b) Wave Energy:
Waves are caused by the action of winds on the sea. Waves can be many meters in height
and contain a great deal of energy. This energy can be harnessed to drive turbines that
generate electricity. Wave energy collectors are of two main types. The first type directs
waves into man-made channels, where the water passes through a turbine that generates
electricity. The second type uses the up and down movement of a wave to push air.
Wave energy can be harnessed in coastal areas, close to the shore.
Advantages This is a non-polluting source of energy, relatively quiet to operate and does not affect
wildlife.
Disadvantages The turbines can be unsightly. Wave heights vary considerably so they would not
produce a constant supply of energy.
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Green Star Award – Guidance for Schools Page 7 of 17
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4. Energy from the Tides: Tidal Power
The tides are caused by the gravitational pull of the Moon, and to a lesser extent the Sun,
on the oceans around the world. The difference between high tide and low tide can be
many meters. If, at high tide, water can be trapped behind a barrage and then let out as
the tide ebbs, this water can be passed through a turbine that can generate electricity.
Advantages The rise and fall of the tide is constant, and does not depend on the weather. The
production of electricity in this way is relatively cheap.
Disadvantages Present designs do not produce a lot of electricity, and barrages across river estuaries can
change the flow of water and so the habitat for birds and other wildlife.
5. Energy from Rivers: Hydroelectric Power
Rivers flow from relatively high areas of land (e.g. hills or mountains) to the sea. Flowing
rivers have kinetic energy. If a dam is built across the river then water can be allowed to
flow in a controlled way through a turbine that generates electricity.
Hydroelectric power schemes exist in many countries. They can be built in areas where
there are fast-flowing rivers. These are often hilly or mountainous regions where rivers
flow down steep slopes. On flatter land rivers flow more slowly. In these slower flowing
rivers very large artificial dams have to be built to create reservoirs. The reservoir then
provides a 'head of water' that can be allowed to fall through a turbine. Most people live
on flatter land so most hydroelectric schemes require large dams and flood a lot of land.
Advantages The river flows continually and provides a constant source of energy. Once built the
supply of electricity is relatively cheap.
Disadvantages A good site for a hydroelectric scheme, such as a mountainous region, is not always near
towns. The building of large dams floods large areas and causes damage to existing
habitats. Changing the flow of a river will affect the water supply to lands nearer the sea.
This may cause problems to crop irrigation.
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Green Star Award – Guidance for Schools Page 8 of 17
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6. Energy from Biomass
Biomass is material from living things. This could be plant material, animal material or
even bacteria. Plant material such as wood or hay can be burned to provide heat to raise
steam and so generate electricity in a power station. Animal waste (e.g. animal slurries
from the cow shed) can be treated to provide gases that can be burned to generate
electricity. Landfill sites emit gases (mainly methane) that can also be used to provide
energy. Some plant materials such as sugar cane and maize (sweet-corn) can be
fermented to produce alcohol. Alcohol can be used in cars as a substitute for petrol.
Crops can be grown as energy crops rather than food crops.
Advantages Biomass is a renewable resource - for example, trees can be re-grown. Energy can be
extracted from wastes. They can be used in similar ways to fossil fuels. They are readily
available worldwide.
Disadvantages They are no more environmentally friendly than fossil fuels because they recycle carbon
into the atmosphere when they are burned. Carbon dioxide, which is produced when
these fuels are burned, is a major cause of the greenhouse effect.
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Energy Conservation and Alternate Resources at School
Reducing your school’s carbon footprint, conserving energy, and using alternate
resources can save your school thousands of dollars and help our environment.
Know your Carbon Footprint:
The first step in Energy Conservation is getting to know your school’s carbon footprint.
What is Carbon Footprint?
A carbon footprint is a measure of the impact our activities have on the environment, and
in particular climate change. It relates to the amount of greenhouse gases produced in our
day-to-day lives through burning fossil fuels for electricity, heating and transportation
etc.
The carbon footprint is a measurement of all greenhouse gases we individually produce
and has units of tonnes (or kg) of carbon dioxide equivalent.
A carbon footprint is made up of the sum of two parts, the primary footprint and the
secondary footprint:
Energy Conservation
Alternate Resources
Know your Carbon
Footprint
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1. The primary footprint is a measure of our direct emissions of CO2 from the burning of
fossil fuels including domestic energy consumption and transportation (e.g. car and
plane). We have direct control of these.
2. The secondary footprint is a measure of the indirect CO2 emissions from the whole
lifecycle of products we use - those associated with their manufacture and eventual
breakdown. To put it very simply – the more we buy the more emissions will be caused
on our behalf.
Learn more about climate change at the following EPA website:
http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/kids/index.html
Here’s a website for teaching Climate Change, resources provided by National
Center for Science Education:
http://ncse.com/climate/teaching
More Educator Resource Collections from NASA:
http://climate.nasa.gov/education/edResources/
The figures below displays the sources of GH emissions and energy consumption by
source in the U.S. in 2012: (Source: U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory)
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How to measure the Carbon Footprint?
There are many Carbon footprint calculators available today to help measure carbon
footprint. Here are some recommended links with tools. Choose the one that you feel
comfortable with. You can start with a simple one for beginners and then go for the more
detailed ones later.
EPA’s Climate Change Emission Calculator Kit
http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/kids/calc/index.html
Cool the World
http://www.cooltheworld.com/kidscarboncalculator.php
Zero Foot Print
http://calc.zerofootprint.net/youth/
WWF Environmental Footprint Calculator
http://footprint.wwf.org.uk/
Act on CO2 Calculator from DirectGov
http://carboncalculator.direct.gov.uk/index.html
List of More Calculators:
http://climatechangeeducation.org/solutions/lifestyle_calculators/index.html
If you’re looking for more in-depth, scientific calculators or you want to deep dive into one area
of your carbon footprint, you might want to choose these:
Carbon Detox by George Marshall – if you’re looking for a comprehensive calculator,
you’ll find it in this inspiring, straight-talking book.
Carbon Independent by Ian and Margaret Campbell – set up i 2007 and updated in
2013, this online calculator allows you to estimate your travel and energy use, or enter
exact figures, giving you useful information along the way.
Travel Footprint’s Journey Emissions Calculator enables you to calculate for each
journey you’re making.
Food Carbon Footprint Calculator - a good starting point for assessing your food
footprint, an often complex area.
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After you have gone through the exercises to find out your school’s carbon footprint, you
can then target the areas where you see that you could make considerable reduction in
carbon footprint for that school year. Focusing on certain areas every year and working in
that area to reduce carbon footprint would be very effective.
Preform the carbon footprint calculations every few years, to see how your school
has progressed and identify more areas you could take action on.
Energy Conservation:
Energy conservation refers to efforts made to reduce energy consumption. Energy
conservation can be achieved through increased efficient energy use in conjunction with
decreased energy consumption, and/or reduced consumption from conventional energy
sources.
Importance of Energy Conservation:
The foremost reason why conserving energy is important is related to our environment.
The more fossil fuels are burnt, the more our environment is hit by pollution. Even
switching off a bulb, when not in use, helps in reducing the consumption of some fuel
source which is burnt to produce that kilowatt-hour of energy. Now this fuel source may
be fossil fuels, nuclear power, coal plants or alternative energy. Many appliances and
electronic equipment even when turned off consumes energy. It is called as "phantom
energy/load" Some people call them "vampire appliances" or "energy vampires."
Energy Conservation Problem:
It is not possible to completely avoid the use of energy by anyone, but it sure is possible
to reduce the consumption by a great extent. Use resources only when required, because
Earth has enough for our needs, but not for our greed!
School Energy Conservation Ideas:
For the classrooms, use the Green Monitor Task List, and have a roster to assign
Green Monitors every week.
<<Download Green Monitor Task List>>
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Awards to staff/students having best conservation ideas and action.
Turn personal computers off when not in use, especially overnight.
Put the theme of Energy conservation in school newsletter.
Suggest that teachers use only 1/2 of their lights during planning time.
Walk or Bike to school days: Organize regular Walk or Bike to school days.
Participate in the International Walk to School, and Bike to School days.
Sign up for the Safe Routes To School program and earn money for your
school: http://www.saferoutesinfo.org/
For more details and ideas check out: http://www.walktoschool.org/
Implement Energy Conservation educational programs: Here is an excellent
program that you could implement at your school:
o The Energy Coalition’s “PEAK” environmental education program
designed to empower students with the knowledge to manage energy use in
their homes, schools and communities. Through hands-on learning,
students are inspired to take action to create a more sustainable world.
www.peakstudents.org
Work with the school’s facility management on the following:
There are many Energy Management Systems available today. Contact your
schools facility manager for their recommendation and/or contact your utility
company. Many utility companies provide grants and install these systems for
free at schools.
Here are some useful links on Energy Management Systems:
Strategic Energy Management- PG&E:
http://www.pge.com/mybusiness/energysavingsrebates/incentivesbyindustry/gove
rnment/strategicenergymgt.shtml
School Resource Program-PG&E:
http://www.pge.com/mybusiness/energysavingsrebates/tips/schools/
PG&E-Money-back solutions for schools: (www.pge.com/schools)
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http://www.pge.com/mybusiness/energysavingsrebates/incentivesbyindustry/scho
olsandcolleges/prekto12/
Sample Energy Management Plan for School:
http://www.greenearthproject.com/EMP.html
o Contact your schools facility manager to solicit energy conservation ideas.
o Investigate an Energy Management System if none installed.
o Recheck all Energy Management Systems "points" to verify that they are still
functioning correctly.
o Better monitoring of service doors at each school (keeping them closed!)
o Post "KEEP DOORS CLOSED" signs in service corridors, gyms, pools,
kitchens.
o Recommend and examine Preventative Maintenance relating to filter
changing, cleaning coils, etc.
o Place data on light switches indicating dollars wasted by leaving lights, etc.,
on.
o Vacant space check list
o Zoning of parking lot lights for better control.
o Recommend use of diesel fuel for steam cleaning machines.
o Turn trash compactor power off at night.
o Custodians to shut off power to electric vending machines at night.
o Recommend caulking when necessary and sealing cracks.
o Better after hours space utilization by having HVAC personnel review plans
and specs to avoid unnecessary running of central plant for just 1 or 2
classrooms.
o Possible use of ceiling fans.
o Reduce parking lot lighting to less than 25% after closing.
o Compare utility bills to Energy Management System data.
o Program into the Energy Management System holiday hours and special
school events.
o Turn off "evening" lights during the day that are at/or near sky lights. This is
called "daylighting".
o Control each building's demand using the Energy Management System.
o Use portable lights for evening cleaning instead of having on all lights.
o School self-audits, by setting up a form for custodians to do self-utility
checks.
o Use of timers on bus block heater circuits.
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o Dating of lamps so that short life can be documented leading to possible
rebates from lamp suppliers.
o Check classroom thermostats; make sure they are calibrated and installed
level.
o Turn off coffee machines after lunch.
o Turn school display cases off at night.
o Turn emergency lights off during the day. (Still must come on during a power
outage.)
o Turn the chiller off in water drinking fountains during certain times of year.
o Recommend locking time clock thermostats in classrooms.
o Review feasibility of installing photoelectric cells on parking lot lights.
o "Lock out" heat after Winter is over to prevent unwanted heating costs during
the summer air conditioning season.
o Keep skylights clean in winter. Recommend low E glass on skylights or
"smart" glass.
o Use occupant sensors - staff areas, conference rooms, and bathrooms.
o Sub-cool buildings during off-peak hours using outside air only. (No A/C).
o Timers on hot water heaters - turn off at night.
o Turn off exhaust fans in unoccupied spaces.
o Use lower wattage halogen or compact flourescent lamps to replace
incandescent.
o You can plant drought resistant trees, in order to reduce the heat island effect
Alternate Resources for Energy
As a start in choosing alternate resources for energy at school, it is crucial that the
students learn in-depth about all the alternate resources available and the Green Kids
team is involved to help make recommendations to the school on the Alternate Resources
for energy at school.
Here are some links to help you obtain grants to install and bring alternate sources of
energy to your school:
California Solar Schools Initiative:
http://californiasolarschools.org/
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Foundation for Environmental Educations:
http://www.solarschools.org/
Solar In the Schools
http://www.solarenergy.org/solar-schools
SOLAR IN SCHOOLS: Photovoltaic Installations:
http://www.dgs.ca.gov/dsa/Programs/progSustainability/solar.aspx
CA schools and SunPower establish Solar Schools program:
http://www.cleanenergyauthority.com/solar-energy-news/ca-and-sunpower-establish-
solar-schools-program-072811/
School Facility Program - Modernization Grants:
http://www.dgs.ca.gov/opsc/Programs/modernizationprogram.aspx
Solar Powered Schools:
http://greenschools.net/article.php?list=type&type=50
Sustainable Schools:
http://www.sustainableschools.dgs.ca.gov/SustainableSchools/sustainabledesign/energy/e
nergy.html
Collaborative for High Performance Schools (CHPS)
http://www.chps.net/
Financing and Incentives Resources:
http://www.sustainableschools.dgs.ca.gov/SustainableSchools/financing/incentives.html
Energy incentives programs:
http://www.sustainableschools.dgs.ca.gov/SustainableSchools/financing/energy.html
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Energy Audit
An energy audit is a survey about the use
of energy in a building in order to find
out how energy efficient the structure is.
It is important to have an energy audit
once every 2-3 months, in order to learn
how your school is progressing and to
learn more about your energy
conservation efforts:
Energy STAR Portfolio Manager
http://www.energystar.gov/buildings/facility-owners-and-managers/existing-buildings/use-
portfolio-manager
(Once you’ve entered the results into the energy manager you will be provided with a score)
For more links about how your school and students could perform an energy audit:
www.countdownyourcarbon.org/SchoolEnergyAudit.pdf
http://www.nrel.gov/education/pdfs/educational_resources/high_school/energy_audit_hs.pdf
Nominate your school for the Green Star School Award. Use
the check-list to ensure that all requirements are fullfilled.
Submit the application form from http://GreenStarSchool.org
Application deadline June 30th.
Applications will be reviewed during school summer break,
and the school will be notified early September during the
beginning of the school year.