The November 2007 report from the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change describes climate change as "severe and so sweeping that only urgent, global action" can head it off. Confronting climate change will require solutions of immense proportions and an unparalleled nature. There are more than 95,000 public schools and 34,000 private/independent schools in the U.S. Schools must be active participants in global efforts to conserve energy and resources, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and prepare citizens to think and act in new and creative ways. No individual school or subset of schools can solve this problem alone. We must work together now to preserve our planet so that future generations can thrive.
As the duly authorized representative of my school, I hereby accept the Green Schools Climate Commitment and agree to:
1. Commit my school to reduce its carbon footprint at one of the following Levels of Commitment:
Climate Champion: Reduce my school’s carbon footprint by at least 30% within 5 years, and achieve Carbon Neutrality by 2020.
Climate Steward: Calculate my school’s carbon footprint by establishing an energy and carbon emissions baseline. Achieve carbon reductions over time.
2. Create a school sustainability task force to guide the development and implementation of a Comprehensive Action Plan to reduce our school’s carbon emissions according to our level of commitment: [Suggested timeline: Within two months]
3. Establish a carbon emissions baseline by conducting a benchmark and energy audit for the last calendar year, and report our progress on an annual basis. [Suggested timeline: Within one year]
4. Initiate two or more tangible actions to begin reducing carbon emissions and to demonstrate strong commitment to our school community. [Suggested timeline: within one year]
5. Complete a Comprehensive Action Plan to reduce our school’s carbon emissions according to our Level of Commitment including: [Suggested timeline: Within two years]
Interim targets for actions that will lead to carbon reduction according to my commitment
Mechanisms for tracking progress
6. Educate the school community and key stakeholders about the importance of climate change, energy conservation and sustainability, and integrate activities and lessons into existing curriculum. [Suggested timeline: Ongoing]
7. Monitor and report progress toward meeting my school’s Climate Commitment on an on-going annual basis to the GSA database. [Suggested timeline: Ongoing]
Take the Pledge. Make the Commitment.
As the duly authorized representative of my school, I hereby accept the GSA Green Schools Climate Commitment:
