Introducing Green Ribbon Initiatives in Cincinnati Schools

Abstract

Record ID: 237

Program Affiliation: NA

Presentation Type: Podium

Abstract: Climate change is a growing problem worldwide, with around 42% of global CO2 emissions coming from the built environment (cite). Education facilities like our public schools can serve as a model for environmental best practices by adopting sustainably vehicles like buses, reducing fossil fuel use in heating and cooling, constructing more light-reflective buildings, and reducing food waste. In this project, I investigated which schools in the United States are successfully adopting these techniques and which would be most easily adopted by Cincinnati. This project is ongoing, but my research found that the Department of Education has a Green Ribbon School program designed specifically for sustainability in schools. This program has been, and will continue to be, vital for helping the City of Cincinnati in their emissions reductions goals, as well as influencing future generations to explore green infrastructure.