Guidance for Schools...Green Star Award – Guidance for Schools Page 5 of 17 ©Copyright-Green Kids Now, Inc. [email protected] 2

Green Star Award – Guidance for Schools Page 1 of 17

©Copyright-Green Kids Now, Inc. http://GreenStarSchool.org [email protected]

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”.

http://greenstarschool.org/

mailto:[email protected]



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.





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'.





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 )



http://www.solarenergy.org/solar-schools



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.





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.





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.





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.





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





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)



http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/kids/index.html

http://ncse.com/climate/teaching

http://climate.nasa.gov/education/edResources/



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.



http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/kids/calc/index.html

http://www.cooltheworld.com/kidscarboncalculator.php

http://footprint.wwf.org.uk/

http://carboncalculator.direct.gov.uk/index.html

http://climatechangeeducation.org/solutions/lifestyle_calculators/index.html

http://www.carbondetox.org/

http://www.carbonindependent.org/index.htm

http://www.travelfootprint.org/journey_emissions/

http://www.foodcarbon.co.uk/calculator.html



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>>





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)



http://www.saferoutesinfo.org/

http://www.walktoschool.org/

http://www.peakstudents.org/

http://www.pge.com/mybusiness/energysavingsrebates/incentivesbyindustry/government/strategicenergymgt.shtml

http://www.pge.com/mybusiness/energysavingsrebates/incentivesbyindustry/government/strategicenergymgt.shtml

http://www.pge.com/mybusiness/energysavingsrebates/tips/schools/

http://www.pge.com/schools



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.



http://www.pge.com/mybusiness/energysavingsrebates/incentivesbyindustry/schoolsandcolleges/prekto12/

http://www.pge.com/mybusiness/energysavingsrebates/incentivesbyindustry/schoolsandcolleges/prekto12/

http://www.greenearthproject.com/EMP.html



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/



http://californiasolarschools.org/



Foundation for Environmental Educations:

http://www.solarschools.org/

Solar In the 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



http://www.solarschools.org/


http://www.dgs.ca.gov/dsa/Programs/progSustainability/solar.aspx

http://www.cleanenergyauthority.com/solar-energy-news/ca-and-sunpower-establish-solar-schools-program-072811/

http://www.cleanenergyauthority.com/solar-energy-news/ca-and-sunpower-establish-solar-schools-program-072811/

http://www.dgs.ca.gov/opsc/Programs/modernizationprogram.aspx

http://greenschools.net/article.php?list=type&type=50

http://www.sustainableschools.dgs.ca.gov/SustainableSchools/sustainabledesign/energy/energy.html

http://www.sustainableschools.dgs.ca.gov/SustainableSchools/sustainabledesign/energy/energy.html

http://www.chps.net/

http://www.sustainableschools.dgs.ca.gov/SustainableSchools/financing/incentives.html

http://www.sustainableschools.dgs.ca.gov/SustainableSchools/financing/energy.html



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.



http://www.energystar.gov/buildings/facility-owners-and-managers/existing-buildings/use-portfolio-manager

http://www.energystar.gov/buildings/facility-owners-and-managers/existing-buildings/use-portfolio-manager

http://www.countdownyourcarbon.org/SchoolEnergyAudit.pdf

http://www.nrel.gov/education/pdfs/educational_resources/high_school/energy_audit_hs.pdf


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Guidance for Schools...Green Star Award – Guidance for Schools Page 5 of 17 ©Copyright-Green Kids Now, Inc. [email protected] 2