From Policy to Action: Improving Schools Sustainability in New York City

• In Event: Thinking global, educating local: sustainability education in New York City

Proposal

DOE Office of Sustainability provides programming on energy management, waste reduction and diversion, water efficiency and green infrastructure to support the integration of sustainability into all 1800 NYC public schools. Flagship programs include the nation’s largest effort towards school waste diversion, Zero Waste Schools, and energy efficiency programs, including NYC Solar Schools, which are vitally important to meeting NYC greenhouse emission goals. In the past two years, the Office of Sustainability has diversified programmatic offerings that including the creation of a first ever Climate Summit, annual Sustainability Showcase, Sustainability Grant, and Energy Challenge. In addition, the office offers annual trainings that are available to all DOE employees on topics such as urban ecology, environmental justice, and green infrastructure.
A key function of the office is to support the role of Sustainability Coordinator, which is a required volunteer position in every school. This person serves as the lead on sustainability initiatives and environmental education while still performing other full-time duties. Through our research partnership with Teachers College, Columbia University the Office of Sustainability is able to identity needs and strategic opportunities to provide specialized trainings which aim to support the institutionalization and development of this role. As a result, the Office has developed a Sustainability Coordinator Mentorship program, a Green Team webinar, and a Sustainability 101 training.

Author

• Thaddeus T. Copeland, Department of Education, New York City