green school environment essay

Greening every school

What is a green school?

A “green school” is defined as a learning institution that takes a whole-of-institution approach to Education for Sustainable Development (ESD), in particular by addressing climate change through its teaching, facilities and operations, school governance and community partnerships. Green schools aim to promote knowledge and skills for the social, economic, cultural, and environmental aspects of sustainable development.­­

What is the whole-institution approach?

The whole-institution approach lies at the center of the ESD roadmap and is meant to lead the transformation of learning institutions to ensure that all learners are empowered with the necessary tools to make a ‘green’ transformation. Efforts should be made to move the culture of the learning institution towards collaboration, solidarity, sustainable practices and inclusion of all genders and backgrounds so that students can learn what they live and live what they learn.

As the UN lead agency on Education for Sustainable Development (ESD), UNESCO is leading the global efforts together with governments, organizations, and individuals to promote transformative education and help tackle the planetary crisis. Through the new global framework entitled “Education for Sustainable Development: towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals” (ESD for 2030), UNESCO aims to equip learners of all ages so that they are climate-ready.

As part of UNESCO’s contribution to the  Greening Education Partnership , workstreams have been undertaken through the  Greening Schools  pillar in order to develop the Quality Standard on Green Schools for a whole-school approach to climate change education. This work will consist in providing a concrete translation of key principles at the school level and be used as the basis of measuring global progress on the number of green schools, thus encouraging member states to integrate these guidelines into their own practices and efforts, ultimately ensuring that all schools are climate-ready by 2030.­

The Quality Standard on Green Schools aims to achieve the following objectives:

• Encourage schools to holistically integrate a whole-school approach to Education for Sustainable development within their systems by collecting good practices from existing green school accreditation schemes
• Define a quality minimum standard on what a green school looks like through a collaborative process
• Include a progressive approach allowing relevance for a diversity of contexts

Provide Member States with a green school standard, along with the list of school accreditation schemes globally, to accelerate the integration of a whole institution approach to ESD within education systems.

• Encourage schools to integrate a whole-of-institution approach to education for sustainable development and transform teaching and learning; school facilities and operation; school governance; and community engagement -with particular emphasis on school’s climate readiness.
• Support Member States to integrate green school schemes standards within their educational systems so that x% ( the target number is to be defined based on an initial baseline mapping study of green school certification schemes)  of schools (pre-university level) across the world are “greened” by 2030.

Scope of the project

194 UNESCO Member States

Education for sustainable development with particular emphasis on climate-readiness

Pre-primary, primary, secondary, tertiary, TVET

• July-August-September 2023 1 st Consultation with members + pilot phase 1 with selected schools and countries
• November-December 2023 2 nd Consultation review of draft with key stakeholders at COP28
• January-March 2024 Final consultation with members + pilot phase 2 with selected schools countries
• June 2024 Release of publication

More on the Greening Education Partnership

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• Education for sustainable development

What is a Green School?

A green school is a school that creates a healthy environment conducive to learning, while saving energy, environmental resources, and money..

A green school 1. reduces environmental impacts and costs 2. improves occupants’ health and performance 3. increases environmental and sustainability literacy

Center for Green Schools

Characteristics of a Green School

Green, healthy, and high-performance schools provide many benefits for students, teachers, parents and the community, including:

Protect Health Asthma is the primary cause of poor school attendance, and schools with poor indoor air quality usually have numerous asthma precursors. Schools built with more daylighting, better ventilation, and healthy green building materials, like non-VOC carpets and paints, are healthier for students and staff, and result in fewer sick days.

Increase Student Performance A lack of fresh air can reduce student attentiveness. Studies have shown that student test scores can improve up to 20% when kids learn in green classrooms that have more daylighting, improved classroom acoustics, and healthier paints and carpets that don’t release toxic chemicals into the air.

Check out the Center for Green School’s: green school programs  or the  Every School Can Be A Green School: Getting Started Checklist .

Visit the Center’s  resources page for a full list of research papers, case studies, and green school reports.

WHOLE SCHOOL SUSTAINABILITY FRAMEWORK

The Whole-School Sustainability Framework is founded on the imperative that in order to be successful, sustainability requires a whole-system approach.

A Whole-School Sustainability approach requires individuals from across an organization to work together—it cannot be accomplished in a silo. This system framework is organized into the three components of schools: organizational culture, physical place, and educational program . Within these three components, total of nine principles have been identified.

TAKE ACTION

Visit our Green Your School page for BPS-specific and recommended policies, actions, and resources. Our focus areas are:

• Climate & Energy
• Environmental Justice
• Healthy School Environment
• Outdoor Teaching & Learning
• Transportation

BPS schools are encouraged to register with   THE GREEN TEAM , sponsored by MassDEP. THE GREEN TEAM is an interactive educational program that empowers students and teachers to help the environment through waste reduction, recycling, composting, energy conservation, and pollution prevention. Participating classes receive certificates of recognition and are eligible to win awards.

Join the Green Schools Alliance community by creating a profile and exploring GSA resources , which includes curriculum and lesson plans, apps, best practices guides, and recommended green partners.

Additional Green School Resources: 

• Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE)
• BLS Youth Climate Action Network (YouthCAN)
• Green Schools National Network
• Project Green Schools: 13 Pathways to Greening Your School and K-12 Green School Interactive Map
• U.S. Department of Education’s Green Strides: Tools to Green Your School

U.S. Green Building Council selected Boston Public Schools as a recipient of the 2019-2020 School District Scholarship , a program run by the Center for Green Schools. BPS was one of five districts selected nationally. The Green Schools Scholarship was valued at $20,000 and included fully paid professional development opportunities at the Greenbuild Conference and Expo , the Green Schools Conference and Expo, and the School Sustainability Leaders’ Summit for BPS Sustainability and Environmental Resources Manager Katherine Walsh. Scholars also benefited from ongoing coaching from experts in the field, their peers, and a broader group of sustainability professionals who participate in the School Sustainability Leaders Network . Throughout the year, the Scholars (and through them, the district) took advantage of complimentary access to curriculum and training resources such as Learning Lab , the Green Classroom Professional Certificate , and a LEED coac h. 

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Environment Friendly Schools: How to Make Your School Green

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Green schools are not only environmentally friendly but also generate cost savings in the form of reduced water and energy use. The standard for environmentally friendly schools is Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, a framework for building schools that meet certain benchmarks for sustainability, and a certification that more schools are seeking to achieve as they upgrade existing facilities and expand their campuses.

Green Schools Alliance

Many schools are taking the pledge of the Green Schools Alliance to make their campuses more sustainable and to reduce their carbon footprints by 30 percent over five years. The goal is to achieve carbon neutrality. The GSA program involves 5 million students at more than 8,000 schools, districts, and organizations from 48 U.S. states and 91 countries.

All this work by schools around the world has helped the Green Cup Challenge to yield a savings of more than 9.7 million kW hours. Anyone can join the Green Schools Alliance, but you don't need to be a part of a formal program to implement environment-friendly practices in your school.

There are steps that parents and students can take separately from their school to reduce energy use and waste, and students and parents can also work with their schools to determine the school's energy use and how to reduce it over time.

Steps Parents and Students Can Take

Parents and students can also contribute to making their schools greener and take steps such as the following:

• Encourage parents and kids to use public transportation or to walk or bike to school.
• Use carpools to bring many students to school together.
• Reduce idling outside school; instead, turn off car and bus engines.
• Encourage the school to use buses with cleaner fuels, such as biodiesel or to start investing in hybrid buses.
• During community service days, have students replace existing incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescents.
• Ask the school to use environmentally friendly cleaning fluids and nontoxic pesticides.
• Encourage the lunchroom to avoid using plastics.
• Spearhead the use of "trayless" eating. Students and teachers can carry their food instead of using trays, and the lunchroom staff won't have to wash trays, thereby reducing water use.
• Work with maintenance staff to put stickers on the paper towel and napkin dispensers reminding students and teachers to use paper products sparingly.
• Encourage the school to sign the Green Schools Initiative.

How Schools Can Reduce Energy Usage

In addition, students can work with the administration and maintenance staff at their schools to reduce the energy use. First, students can conduct an audit of their school's light and energy use and then monitor the school's energy use on a monthly basis.

The Green Schools Alliance provides students with a step-by-step plan to create a task force and reduce carbon emissions over a suggested two-year timetable. Their helpful tool kit provides actions schools can take such as using daylight instead of overhead lighting, weatherizing windows and doors, and installing Energy Star appliances.

Educating the Community

Creating a greener school requires educating the community about the importance of reducing carbon emissions and living more environmentally sustainable lives. First, inform yourself about what other schools are doing to become greener. For example, Riverdale Country Day School in New York City has installed a synthetic playing field composed of cork and coconut fiber that saves millions of gallons of water per year.

Other schools offer classes in living environmentally conscious lives, and their lunchrooms offer local produce that is shipped shorter distances, thereby reducing energy use. Students may be more motivated to make their school greener when they are aware of what similar schools are doing.

Find a way to communicate regularly to your school about what you are doing to reduce energy use through newsletters or a page on your school's website. Get people involved in taking and meeting the goals of the Green Schools Alliance to reduce carbon emissions over five years.

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January 4, 2022

How to Create a Green School

We live in a world where it has become more and more important to live “green” as environmental concerns rise. It is no longer enough to simply recycle or buy reusable items for the home. For this reason, many citizens are also attempting to go green in their workplace. When incorporated into schools in particular, this practice not only offers the opportunity to reduce our current environmental impact but also instills students with good, green habits that they can carry into adulthood.

But what exactly does it mean to have a green school?

The Green School Defined

It’s true that you can and should take strides to be more eco-friendly in all aspects of your life. However, a green school might look different from a green home. A school will use more resources per day than a home, for instance, due to the volume of people. Furthermore, it’s both a workplace and a place of learning. A green school should take both functions into consideration when making environmental improvements.

The National Association of Independent Schools defines a green school as having the following hallmarks:

• Efficient use of resources — Green schools cut down on waste and opt to use sustainable resources whenever possible.
• A healthy environment — Students are encouraged to exercise through physical education, and staff are encouraged to stay healthy through work programs and incentives.
• An ecological curriculum — Beyond putting green habits into practice, green schools also have a responsibility to teach students the importance of protecting the environment.
• Nutritious food — Green schools encourage students to eat nutritious and even locally sourced food by making this type of food available in the school cafeteria.
• Sustainable community practices — Get involved! Green schools participate in bettering the community through sustainable practices. Consider taking students on a field trip where they can help clean up a park or learn about sustainable practices.

Understanding the Eco-School Program

The trend toward green schools is taking hold, not just in the United States but throughout the world. Some of this has been helped by programs such as Eco-Schools . “Eco-Schools is a growing phenomenon [that] encourages young people to engage in their environment by allowing them the opportunity to actively protect it,” the Eco-Schools program explains on its website. “It starts in the classroom; it expands to the school and eventually fosters change in the community at large.”

Eco-Schools aims to give students a voice regarding the green practices of their school and community at large. They can make suggestions and even help enforce relevant eco-friendly policies. Once the school meets certain criteria, it is awarded a Green Flag and receives certification as a green school. “The Eco-Schools [program] is an ideal way for schools to embark on a meaningful path [toward] improving the environment in both the school and the local community while…having a lifelong positive impact on the lives of young people, their families, school staff, and local authorities.”

7 Steps to Creating a Green School

A green school offers tremendous benefits to its students, staff, administration, and ultimately the community. But how does one go about creating a green school? The Green Schools Initiative offered these seven tips for creating a green school environment :

• Establish a “green team” or eco-committee. The process begins by organizing. Find people who are passionate about creating a green school. Teachers, administrators, stakeholders, parents, and students can all make up part of the green team. This group will produce initiatives to make the school more eco-friendly and start putting them into practice.
• Adopt an environmental vision statement or “planet pledge.” What are your goals in creating a green school? What about your mission statement? Write this out so that you have something you can aim toward in trying to create a greener environment.
• Conduct a school environmental survey or audit. Assess where your school is right now. How much energy do you use? How much waste do you produce every day, and where can that be cut down? You’ll need everyone to be honest with themselves about this and to remember that this is just the starting point.
• Create a green school action plan. Look back at that vision statement, and turn it into actionable steps to take toward that goal. Maybe this could be reducing waste, finding energy-efficient lighting options, or changing the food in the cafeteria. Devise steps, and start to make them happen.
• Monitor and evaluate progress. Progress is not always linear. You’ll need to keep an eye on how the green school action plan is going. You may find it necessary to reassess your plan once you start its implementation.
• Integrate “greening” into the curriculum. A school is a place of learning, so make sure to educate students about green communities and why the school is going green. Find lesson plans and curricula that cover the environmental crisis and how to take better care of the planet. In this way, students will become both informed and passionate about going green in the future.
• Inform, involve, and celebrate! Don’t limit the green school initiatives to the green team; involve the whole school! Let people know what you’re doing and why. Have assemblies where you discuss the need for a green school. However, these don’t have to be dour occasions. It’s also important to celebrate your improvements and victories. Set up rewards to work toward so that when it’s time to celebrate, everyone can.

The Benefits of Green School Initiatives

Protecting the planet is essential to our continued lives, so some of the benefits of enacting green school initiatives are obvious. However, there may be benefits that you haven’t even considered.

Research shows that schools that meet the criteria of the U.S. Green Building Council tend to have healthier and more productive learning environments , which can lead to better academic performance. Students perform better when they eat healthier and their environment is cleaner. Improving everything from the natural lighting to the acoustics and indoor air quality can be a boon in a building full of children where infectious viruses quickly spread.

Perhaps the best benefit, however, is the impact on students and on the community. By setting an example and educating students about the importance of going green, schools can encourage today’s youth to be more environmentally conscious. Hopefully, they will take this practice with them when they leave school, bring it into their community, and also one day teach their own children about taking care of the planet.

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44 Ways To Make Your School and Classroom More Green

Put sustainability first with these top tips.

As an educator, there are so many things you can do to make your classroom and school more green. From recycling to planting gardens to powering your school with solar panels to getting a green seal, the ideas are endless. Plus teaching students about green practices now creates a lifelong interest in saving the planet. These ideas help lay the groundwork for a green school and classroom. What will you start today?

1. Lead a green club

Find students who are interested in making their school more eco-friendly. Help them set a small goal to get started and then encourage them to think of more big picture ideas. Use these tips for success.

2. Hold a recycling bin decorating contest

Get the whole school involved in sprucing up the recycling bins. Task each class with decorating their containers or making their own from scratch. Put them on display and have students vote for their favorites!

3. Apply for grants

Find and apply for grants that offer financial support for green-school initiatives. Here are some garden grants to get you started, but there are lots of other opportunities out there.

4. Get creative with recycling bins

Go beyond the basic blue bucket and make your receptacle stand out. Try this hungry recycle monster . Or keep things super organized with a recycling station, complete with colorful bins clearly labeled for paper, plastic bottles, cans, and cardboard. The easier and more fun recycling is, the more students (and staff) will want to join in.

5. Schedule a trash pickup day

Make it an annual, monthly, or weekly event. Getting outside to see, firsthand, how much trash ends up on the ground helps students become more aware of where they’re putting their litter.

6. Add indoor plants

Studies show that indoor plants naturally purify the air and provide health benefits, like fewer cold symptoms and improved behavior. Start with easy-to-grow plants, like a spider plant, snake plant, jade, English ivy, or golden pothos. Get kids involved in the plant care and nurture mini gardeners.

7. Rally for solar panels

Yes, this is a pricey way to become a green school, but it’s one that pays off. According to EnergySage , solar is the cheapest energy source and saves a ton of money. Plus schools typically have flat roofs, which are a natural fit for solar panels. Do some research and get your administration on board!

8. Get dirty and do a waste audit

Hand out some rubber gloves and let students dig in! Dump trash cans onto a tarp to see just how many recyclables were doomed for the landfill. Tally up all of the misplaced items and communicate the total to the entire school. You can use this waste audit here . Conduct another audit in a month or two and see if your numbers improve.

9. Track your progress

Monitor your school’s recycling impact when you sign up for Recycle Rally . It’s an easy way to set goals and see all of your efforts in one place.

10. Improve air quality

A comfortable, healthy, and safe environment is so important. Old schools with out-of-date ventilation may cause problems. Launch a campaign to improve air quality with tips from the Environmental Protection Agency’s Action Kit .

11. Clean with natural, environmentally friendly products

Start by cleaning with green products in your own classroom. Here’s an article from the EPA to help give you a rundown of what to look for. In particular, read the labels and be aware of any of them that have big cautions or warnings. This is a sign that they might have harmful ingredients. But rally other teachers and administration to take a close look at the products they’re using school-wide, from how they clean the cafeteria tables to the gym floors.

12. Turn recyclables into an obstacle course

13. Rally for the use of reusable containers for lunches

Between sandwiches, snacks, and leftovers, that’s a lot of plastic at lunchtime. Glass or stainless steel containers come in all sizes and are perfect for school meals. Challenge students to start using them.

14. Make yours a zero-waste classroom

If this seems a little extreme, start slow. Maybe try for a zero-waste day or week just to test the waters. If you make it a fun challenge with a little reward, the kids will totally get on board.

15. Grow a garden

Find a small space on school grounds for a garden. Get students involved from the very start—let them choose the plot. Turn it into a teaching moment and have them determine the best spot based on light needs and soil type. Grow veggies and let kids experience how easy it is to grow their own food.

16. Do an energy audit

Analyze and improve your classroom’s energy use. Ask students to brainstorm easy ways to cut back, such as turning off computers every night.

17. Survey students to see what causes they care about most

Whether it’s recycling, installing energy-efficient lighting, or switching to earth-friendly cleaning products, find out what students and their parents care about most. Send out a quick survey.

18. Encourage walking or biking to school

Designate a day, maybe near the beginning of the school year, to encourage students to find green ways to get to school, whether it’s walking, biking, or riding a scooter. Doing it early in the year might make kids fall in love with the mode of transportation and stick with it for the whole year.

19. Take a pledge

Have students take a pledge to commit to recycling, reducing waste, and saving energy. Putting it writing and displaying the pledges in a high-traffic area at school helps kids remember to take it seriously.

20. Start composting

Eliminate food waste by adding a compost bin to your classroom or cafeteria. Food scraps don’t require anything fancy—a five-gallon bucket, small pail, or a wooden crate work just fine. Create a compost team that is responsible for transporting the scraps to a bigger bin outdoors every day.

21. Plant a rain garden

A garden filled with native perennials designed to capture runoff rainwater and recycle it back into the ground is super beneficial to the environment. It also reduces pollution and preserves the sewer systems. Use these lesson plans to get students involved.

22. Install rain barrels

Catch rainwater to feed your school garden. Reusing the water reduces the amount of water that ends up in the sewer system, plus the fresh water is better for the plants. You can also add the water you collect to your compost pile.

23. Use supplies year after year

Reuse last year’s supplies. Set out a box on clean-out day and ask students and parents to throw unwanted items like half-used crayons, colored pencils, and notebooks in it. Either utilize them next school year or donate them.

24. Help students understand WHY recycling is important

Sure, you can ask kids to toss their plastic bottles in the blue bins, but until they fully grasp the benefit, it’ll seem like a chore. Turn the hows and whys of recycling into a lesson plan to make it stick.

25. Visit a recycling center or landfill

Go on a field trip to a recycling center or landfill. The landfill visit helps students see how much trash is collected. And a recycling center trip shows how their efforts pay off.

26. Use eco-friendly craft supplies

From recycled dry-erase markers to construction paper, the possibilities for earth-friendly school supplies are endless. Use this roundup to see what’s out there.

27. Educate students, parents, and administrators about sustainability

Pull together stats and information to help everyone realize how beneficial a green school can be. Let everyone know the impact an entire school can make on the environment.

28. Add more recycling bins

It sounds obvious, but it’s often overlooked. Simply add more bins, especially near every trash can, and clearly label them. Make it really easy for students to toss the right stuff into the right bin.

29. Play movies with environmental themes

There are plenty of movies that educate kids about environmental issues in a fun way—they won’t even realize they’re learning. You can also find informative clips on YouTube if you don’t have the ability or time to show a full movie.

30. Make your own glue

All you need is a few kitchen ingredients, such as vinegar, powdered dry milk, and baking soda, to whip up a batch of non-toxic glue.

31. Use recyclables for art projects

From unwanted paper to tin cans to bottle caps, the project possibilities are endless. Create a plastic bottle mural in your classroom or in a place where the whole school can enjoy it. Bonus points if you make your mural’s message related to recycling!

32. Add green-focused books to the reading list

Help kids learn about the importance of sustainability with books for all ages , including teens.

33. Make recycling a game

From bottle bowling to a recyclables scavenger hunt, it’s easy to bring awareness to recycling with a fun and active event. Use these kid-friendly ideas to get started. You can also get inspiration from this trick-shot teacher .

34. Help kids become recycling champions

Share your ideas and successes with other green schools in your area. Better yet, let students put together presentations about the biggest lessons and wins at your school. Spreading sustainability love benefits the entire community.

35. Rely on natural light

Keep blinds and shades open to let the vitamin D in. Natural light leads to higher productivity and improves overall mood—for students and teachers! Plus the light offers a little extra heat on those chilly days.

36. Aim for an official honor

Everything from floor cleaner to hand soap can be switched out for earth-friendly products. Analyze what your school currently uses and help make changes. Eventually, get your school Green Seal certified ! Project Green Schools is another good one to look into.

37. Write an environmental vision statement

Include the hows and whys and then share it with students, parents, and even the school board. The more support you can drum up, the better the outcome.

38. Reuse in creative ways

Kids are creative thinkers when it comes to reusing materials. In this idea, you can wrangle up a bunch of plastic bottles and have kids turn them into plant containers to hang around the classroom. You’re giving old bottles a new life and adding all of the health benefits of plants. Ask your students what else they can come up with, too.

39. Host a solar cookout

Have students build their own sun ovens and try to cook some food using the sun! This is a fun, hands-on science lesson that students will remember for years to come. You can easily find good sun oven plans on Pinterest.

40. Communicate your success

Everyone is motivated by victory, so don’t shy away from bragging about progress whenever possible—the weekly newsletter, school assemblies, social media, or however your school communicates. Excitement is contagious, so the more you can get people talking about positive changes, the better.

41. Celebrate environmental holidays

There are so many to choose from! Bike to School Day happens every year in early May, America Recycles Day (part of the Keep America Beautiful program) is on or around November 15, and the Great American Cleanup (also part of the Keep America Beautiful program) usually happens on the first day of spring. A quick Google search will bring up a ton more! The video above is a collaboration between PepsiCo Recycling and WeAreTeachers from last year to celebrate America Recycles Day.

42. Team up with local green companies

Find organizations or businesses in your community that have the same green goals. They can help educate you and the students, offering up new ideas and assisting you with execution.

43. Replace light bulbs

Old schools may have old light fixtures, so rally to get them updated. New lighting or better bulbs save energy. Bonus: Remember to turn the lights off when you’re not in the room.

44. Celebrate your progress (in an eco-friendly way, of course)

Once you’ve met your recycling and sustainability goals for the year, find a creative way to celebrate the achievement and reward students for their efforts. Give these recycled-bottle trophies to kids who made the most impact.

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Embracing Sustainability in Schools: Paving the Way for a Greener Future

In the face of pressing environmental challenges, the importance of sustainability cannot be overstated. As stewards of the future, schools play a pivotal role in nurturing environmentally conscious citizens. In this blog, we delve into the significance of sustainability in schools, the benefits it brings, and the practical steps that educational institutions can take to create a greener and more sustainable future.

Introduction

1. Understanding Sustainability

Sustainability goes beyond recycling and reducing waste. It encompasses a holistic approach to preserving the environment, promoting social equity, and fostering economic prosperity. Schools are ideal places to instill the values of sustainability in young minds, empowering them to be responsible global citizens. By integrating sustainable practices into the curriculum, schools can shape a generation that values environmental stewardship.

2. The Benefits of Sustainability in Schools

Embracing sustainability offers a myriad of benefits to both students and the school community. These advantages extend beyond environmental protection and include:

a) Enhanced Learning Opportunities: Sustainability-themed education creates hands-on learning experiences that stimulate critical thinking and problem-solving skills among students.

b) Reduced Operational Costs: Implementing energy-efficient practices and waste reduction measures can lead to significant cost savings for schools.

c) Healthier Learning Environment: Green buildings, improved air quality, and access to nature positively impact students' physical and mental well-being, enhancing their overall learning experience.

d) Community Engagement: Sustainable initiatives within schools often spill over into the broader community, encouraging local residents to participate and support eco-friendly endeavours.

3. Integrating Sustainability into the Curriculum

To make sustainability a core value, schools can integrate it into various subjects across different grade levels. Here are some ways to incorporate sustainability into the curriculum:

a) Environmental Studies: Dedicate specific courses to environmental topics, such as climate change, conservation, and renewable energy.

b) Green Clubs and Projects: Encourage students to form green clubs and undertake sustainability projects like community gardens, composting initiatives, or energy conservation campaigns.

c) Field Trips: Organise trips to eco-friendly sites, wildlife reserves, or sustainable businesses to give students a real-world understanding of environmental issues and solutions.

d) Guest Speakers and Workshops: Invite sustainability experts, environmentalists, or local green entrepreneurs to share their knowledge and experiences with students.

4. Eco-Friendly Infrastructure

Beyond the curriculum, schools can embrace sustainability through infrastructure development and operations:

a) Energy Efficiency: Invest in renewable energy sources like solar panels, implement energy-saving practices, and ensure proper insulation of school buildings.

b) Waste Management: Set up recycling centres, reduce single-use plastic, and promote responsible waste disposal.

c) Green Spaces: Create green spaces on campus, such as gardens and tree-shaded areas, to foster a deeper connection with nature.

d) Water Conservation: Encourage responsible water usage and consider implementing rainwater harvesting systems.

5. Community Involvement

Sustainability is a collective effort, and schools can foster community involvement through:

a) Collaborations: Partner with local businesses, organisations, and government agencies to support sustainability initiatives and share resources.

b) Awareness Campaigns: Conduct workshops, seminars, or events that raise awareness about sustainability within the school and local community.

c) Volunteering Opportunities: Encourage students, teachers, and staff to participate in environmental volunteering activities outside of school.

Sustainability in schools is more than just a trend; it is a crucial aspect of building a greener and more sustainable future. By integrating sustainability into the curriculum, adopting eco-friendly infrastructure, and encouraging community involvement, schools can empower students to become champions of the environment. Let us unite in this endeavour and sow the seeds of sustainability in our educational institutions, cultivating a generation that will lead the way towards a brighter, more sustainable tomorrow.

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Keeping The School Clean And Green Essay Example

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School is the place where children spend a long span of time every day. It is the place where basic knowledge, manners, and etiquette are learned by a child. The surroundings of a school are very important because it affects the students and their progress to a great extent. The children in the school today will become responsible citizens of the nation in the future. Keeping a healthy environment is necessary for schools to accelerate the growth of children.

Two main components of a healthy environment are cleanliness and greenery. Keeping the school clean should be as important as studying in school because a dirty environment can create a very bad impact on students and teachers too. Cleanliness can be maintained by setting up some simple rules such as:

• Throw waste in the dustbins.
• Clean the lunch tables before leaving.
• Do not damage any displays.
• Organize a cleanliness drive every month.
• Prohibit writing on any school property.
• Wipe feet on the mat before entering the classroom.

Teachers have to make students understand the importance of cleanliness. It will help the students to follow the rules not only because they are meant to be followed but because they will understand the value of cleanliness. The above-mentioned rules should be followed by the students, teachers, and staff carefully but there are some responsibilities on the part of the school authorities too. Cleaning staff should be there in school, awareness should be created, environment-friendly disinfectants should be used regularly, recycle bins should be put all around the school.

Greenery is good for the environment and it enhances beauty too. Today when the whole world is facing a worldwide environmental crisis it is very important to make the pupils understand that trees are our saviors. Schools should provide sustainable education to develop environmental consciousness among the children. Proper actions should be taken to keep the schools green which will create a positive impact on the environment as well as on the students and all the people working there. In order to maintain greenery, some rules should be maintained by the school authority.

Students should not trample plants. There should be one period for planting new plants and taking care of the plants. Special classes should be taken to create environmental awareness. Special classes should be taken on how to take care of plants.

Some other steps can also be taken to make the students feel that they are on the lap of nature like switching off lights and let the sunlight come into the classrooms, taking one or two classes on the ground under the shade of trees on sunny days, installing solar panels and using solar energy, insisting them to use battery-operated vehicles, etc.

The primary agenda of a school is to provide good quality of education but a school is also the place where a human being learns to socialize for the first time. Schools should have an ideal environment, characterized by cleanliness and eco-friendliness because whatever children learn in school creates an impact on their whole life. A child spends a long portion of the day in school so it must have a perfect environment. A good attitude of students and teachers can be promoted in a clean environment towards each other. Students, teachers, and staff feel happy to work in a clean, green, and beautiful place. In conclusion, it can be said that schools are a second home for children so the importance of the environment of the school is unavoidable. Everyone involved there must work together as a team to make the school clean and green.

The Daily Campus, 2019, what is the importance of cleanliness in school?, accessed on 15th July 2021,

OpenWorks,2021, School Cleanliness: Tips for creating a cleaning plan that suits your school, accessed on 15th July 2021, 

Endless English Tips,2015, ESSAY: HOW TOMAKE YOUR SCHOOL GREEN, accessed on 15th July 2021,

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Essay on Environment: Examples & Tips

• Updated on  
• May 30, 2022

In the 21st century, the Environmental crisis is one of the biggest issues. The world has been potentially impacted by the resulting hindrance in the environmental balance, due to the rising in industrialization and urbanization. This led to several natural calamities which creates an everlasting severe impact on the environment for years. To familiarize students with the importance environment, the subject ‘Environmental Studies’ is part of the curriculum in primary, secondary as well as higher school education. To test the knowledge of the students related to Environment, a question related to the topic in the form of essay or article writing is included in the exam. This blog aims to focus on providing details to students on the way, they can draft a well-written essay on Environment.

This Blog Includes:

Overview on environment, tips on writing an effective essay, format (150 words), sample essay on environment, environment essay (100 words), essay on environment (200-250 words), environment essay (300 words), world environment day.

To begin the essay on Environment, students must know what it is all about. Biotic (plants, animals, and microorganisms) and abiotic (non-living physical factors) components in our surroundings fall under the terminology of the environment. Everything that surrounds us is a part of the environment and facilitates our existence on the planet.

Before writing an effective essay on Environment, another thing students need to ensure is to get familiarised with the structure of essay writing. The major tips which students need to keep in mind, while drafting the essay are:

• Research on the given topic thoroughly : The students must research the topic given in the essay, for example: while drafting an essay on the environment, students must mention the recent events, so to provide the reader with a view into their understanding of this concept.
• Jot down the important points: When the students research the topic, students must note down the points which need to be included in the essay.
• Quote down the important examples: Students must quote the important examples in the introductory paragraphs and the subsequent paragraphs as well.
• Revise the Essay: The student after finishing writing students must revise the content to locate any grammatical errors as well as other mistakes.

Essay on Environment: Format & Samples

Now that you are aware of the key elements of drafting an essay on Environment, take a look at the format of essay writing first:

Introduction

The student must begin the essay by, detailing an overview of the topic in a very simple way in around 30-40 words. In the introduction of the essay on Environment, the student can make it interesting by recent instances or adding questions.

Body of Content

The content after the introduction can be explained in around 80 words, on a given topic in detail. This part must contain maximum detail in this part of the Essay. For the Environment essay, students can describe ways the environment is hampered and different ways to prevent and protect it.

In the essay on Environment, students can focus on summing the essay in 30-40 words, by writing its aim, types, and purposes briefly. This section must swaddle up all the details which are explained in the body of the content.

Below is a sample of an Essay on Environment to give you an idea of the way to write one:

The natural surroundings that enable life to thrive, nurture, and destroy on our planet called earth are referred to as an environment. The natural environment is vital to the survival of life on Earth, allowing humans, animals, and other living things to thrive and evolve naturally. However, our ecosystem is being harmed as a result of certain wicked and selfish human actions. It is the most essential issue, and everyone should understand how to safeguard our environment and maintain the natural balance on this planet for life to continue to exist.

Nature provides an environment that nourishes life on the planet. The environment encompasses everything humans need to live, including water, air, sunshine, land, plants, animals, forests, and other natural resources. Our surroundings play a critical role in enabling the existence of healthy life on the planet. However, due to man-made technical advancements in the current period, our environment is deteriorating day by day. As a result, environmental contamination has risen to the top of our priority list.

Environmental pollution has a detrimental impact on our everyday lives in a variety of ways, including socially, physically, economically, emotionally, and cognitively. Contamination of the environment causes a variety of ailments that can last a person’s entire life. It is not a problem of a neighborhood or a city; it is a global issue that cannot be handled by a single person’s efforts. It has the potential to end life in a day if it is not appropriately handled. Every ordinary citizen should participate in the government’s environmental protection effort.

Between June 5 and June 16, World Environment Day is commemorated to raise awareness about the environment and to educate people about its importance. On this day, awareness initiatives are held in a variety of locations.

The environment is made up of plants, animals, birds, reptiles, insects, water bodies, fish, humans, trees, microbes, and many other things. Furthermore, they all contribute to the ecosystem.

The physical, social, and cultural environments are the three categories of environments. Besides, various scientists have defined different types and numbers of environments.

1. Do not leave rubbish in public areas. 2. Minimize the use of plastic 3. Items should be reduced, reused, and recycled. 4. Prevent water and soil contamination

Hope the blog has given you an idea of how to write an essay on the Environment. If you are planning to study abroad and want help in writing your essays, then let Leverage Edu be your helping hand. Our experts will assist you in writing an excellent SOP for your study abroad consultant application. 

Sonal is a creative, enthusiastic writer and editor who has worked extensively for the Study Abroad domain. She splits her time between shooting fun insta reels and learning new tools for content marketing. If she is missing from her desk, you can find her with a group of people cracking silly jokes or petting neighbourhood dogs.

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Environmental Issues Essay for Students and Children

500+ words essay on environmental issues.

The environment plays a significant role to support life on earth. But there are some issues that are causing damages to life and the ecosystem of the earth. It is related to the not only environment but with everyone that lives on the planet. Besides, its main source is pollution , global warming, greenhouse gas , and many others. The everyday activities of human are constantly degrading the quality of the environment which ultimately results in the loss of survival condition from the earth.

Source of Environment Issue

There are hundreds of issue that causing damage to the environment. But in this, we are going to discuss the main causes of environmental issues because they are very dangerous to life and the ecosystem.

Pollution – It is one of the main causes of an environmental issue because it poisons the air , water , soil , and noise. As we know that in the past few decades the numbers of industries have rapidly increased. Moreover, these industries discharge their untreated waste into the water bodies, on soil, and in air. Most of these wastes contain harmful and poisonous materials that spread very easily because of the movement of water bodies and wind.

Greenhouse Gases – These are the gases which are responsible for the increase in the temperature of the earth surface. This gases directly relates to air pollution because of the pollution produced by the vehicle and factories which contains a toxic chemical that harms the life and environment of earth.

Climate Changes – Due to environmental issue the climate is changing rapidly and things like smog, acid rains are getting common. Also, the number of natural calamities is also increasing and almost every year there is flood, famine, drought , landslides, earthquakes, and many more calamities are increasing.

Above all, human being and their greed for more is the ultimate cause of all the environmental issue.

Get the huge list of more than 500 Essay Topics and Ideas

How to Minimize Environment Issue?

Now we know the major issues which are causing damage to the environment. So, now we can discuss the ways by which we can save our environment. For doing so we have to take some measures that will help us in fighting environmental issues .

Moreover, these issues will not only save the environment but also save the life and ecosystem of the planet. Some of the ways of minimizing environmental threat are discussed below:

Reforestation – It will not only help in maintaining the balance of the ecosystem but also help in restoring the natural cycles that work with it. Also, it will help in recharge of groundwater, maintaining the monsoon cycle , decreasing the number of carbons from the air, and many more.

The 3 R’s principle – For contributing to the environment one should have to use the 3 R’s principle that is Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle. Moreover, it helps the environment in a lot of ways.

To conclude, we can say that humans are a major source of environmental issues. Likewise, our activities are the major reason that the level of harmful gases and pollutants have increased in the environment. But now the humans have taken this problem seriously and now working to eradicate it. Above all, if all humans contribute equally to the environment then this issue can be fight backed. The natural balance can once again be restored.

FAQs about Environmental Issue

Q.1 Name the major environmental issues. A.1 The major environmental issues are pollution, environmental degradation, resource depletion, and climate change. Besides, there are several other environmental issues that also need attention.

Q.2 What is the cause of environmental change? A.2 Human activities are the main cause of environmental change. Moreover, due to our activities, the amount of greenhouse gases has rapidly increased over the past few decades.

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Jazz research questions, interesting essay topics to write about japanese culture, good research topics about japanese art, jane eyre essay topics, most interesting invisible man essay topics to write about, most interesting jaguar essay topics to write about, most interesting jackson pollock essay topics to write about, good essay topics on italian renaissance, good research topics about islamophobia, 20 ways to make your school and classroom environmentally friendly.

You can do numerous things as a teacher to make your classroom and school more environmentally friendly. The endless possibilities include recycling, gardening, installing solar panels to power your school, and obtaining a green seal. Teaching students about environmentally friendly methods also spark a lifetime interest in preserving the environment. These concepts aid in laying the foundation for a green classroom and school. What will you begin right away?

• Start a green club.

Identify kids who are motivated to make their school more environmentally friendly. As soon as they’ve established a little objective, assist them in thinking of more expansive objectives. Use the advice here to succeed.

• Hold a contest for the best recycling bin decoration.

Get the recycling bins cleaned up with the help of the entire school. Give each class the assignment of decorating or creating their custom containers. Display them and ask the children to vote for their favorite.

• Obtain grants

Find grants that provide funding for green school programs and submit an application.  

• Use recycling containers in inventive ways.

Make your bin stand out by going beyond the conventional blue bucket. Test out this ravenous recycling monster. Or, stay super-organized with a recycling station that includes bright bins with labels specific to paper, plastic bottles, cans, and cardboard. More pupils (and staff) will desire to participate in recycling the simpler and more enjoyable it is.

• Choose a day for garbage collection.

Make it a weekly, monthly, or annual occurrence. Students become more conscious of where they’re leaving their garbage when they go outside and observe firsthand how much rubbish ends on the ground.

• Include houseplants

According to studies, indoor plants organically filter the air and offer health advantages like reducing colds and better conduct. Start with simple-to-grow plants like golden pothos, jade, English ivy, spider, and snake. Encourage young gardeners by involving them in plant maintenance.

• Rally for solar power

Yes, it is expensive, but it is a worthwhile method for a school to go green. As per EnergySage, solar is the least expensive energy source and cuts down loads of cash. Schools often have flat roofs, making solar panels a perfect choice. Get your admin on board and do some research!

• Perform a trash audit and get dirty

Give the students some rubber gloves and let them get to work! Dump garbage cans onto a tarp to determine how many recyclables were destined for the landfill. Add up all the lost stuff, then let the school know the total. 

• Monitor your development

When you participate in Recycle Rally, keep an eye on the recycling impact at your school. It’s a simple approach to organizing your work and setting goals.

• Boost the air quality

An environment that is cozy, safe, and secure is crucial. Problems could arise in outdated ventilation systems in old schools. Utilize the advice from the Environmental Protection Agency’s Action Kit to start a campaign to improve air quality.

• Use natural, eco-friendly materials to clean.

Start by using eco-friendly cleaning supplies in your classroom. Read the labels carefully and pay attention to any prominent cautions or warnings. This suggests that potentially dangerous compounds may be present. But encourage other educators and the management to examine the materials used all across the school, from how the dining tables are cleaned to the gym floors.

• Create an obstacle course out of recyclables.
• Hold a protest in favor of lunchtime use of reusable containers.

That’s a lot of plastic between sandwiches, snacks, and leftovers during lunchtime. Containers made of glass or stainless steel are available in various sizes and are ideal for school meals. Encourage students to begin utilizing them.

• Establish a zero-waste classroom.

Start slowly if this seems a little severe. Consider attempting a zero-waste day or week to see how it goes. The kids will be completely on board if you create a fun task with a small incentive.

• Growing a garden.

On the school’s campus, choose a little area for a garden. Get students involved right away by letting them decide on the storyline. Make it a teaching opportunity by having them choose the optimum location based on soil type and light requirements. Grow vegetables and show children how simple it is to grow their food.

• Perform an energy audit.

Analyze and reduce energy use in your classroom. Ask kids to devise simple methods to save money, like turning off laptops at night.

• Ask students what issues most concern them by conducting a survey

Find out what matters most to students and their parents: recycling, adding energy-efficient lighting, or moving to eco-friendly cleaning supplies. Send out a quick survey.

• Encourage students to bike or walk to school

To encourage kids to use green transportation to school, such as walking, bicycling, or riding a scooter, set aside a day, maybe towards the start of the academic year. Kids that experience it early in the year may develop a fondness for the method of transportation and remain with it all year.

• Make a commitment

Encourage kids to sign a pledge to recycle, reduce trash, and conserve energy. 

• Commence composting.

Add a compost container to your cafeteria or school to stop food waste. A five-gallon bucket, little pail, or a wood crate will serve just fine for collecting food leftovers. Establish a composting team in charge of daily delivery of the scraps to a larger outdoor container.

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Essay on School Environment

Students are often asked to write an essay on School Environment in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on School Environment

Importance of school environment.

A school environment plays a crucial role in shaping a student’s life. It is a place where we learn, grow, and develop essential skills.

Physical Environment

The physical environment includes classrooms, libraries, labs, and playgrounds. It should be clean, safe, and conducive to learning.

Social Environment

The social environment involves relationships with teachers and peers. A positive social environment promotes respect, cooperation, and understanding.

Academic Environment

The academic environment focuses on learning and intellectual growth. It encourages curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking.

In conclusion, a good school environment nurtures and inspires students to reach their full potential.

250 Words Essay on School Environment

The importance of a school environment.

A school environment plays an instrumental role in shaping a student’s academic, social, and emotional growth. It is not just a physical space where learning occurs, but a complex ecosystem that encompasses various elements, including teachers, students, curriculum, and infrastructure.

Physical Aspects of School Environment

The physical aspects of a school environment significantly influence students’ engagement and learning outcomes. Well-ventilated classrooms, clean surroundings, and access to facilities such as libraries and laboratories foster an atmosphere conducive to learning. Moreover, the availability of sports and recreational facilities promotes physical well-being, contributing to holistic development.

Social and Emotional Aspects

The social and emotional aspects of a school environment are equally crucial. An environment that encourages respect, inclusivity, and collaboration nurtures a sense of belonging among students. It fosters positive relationships, builds self-esteem, and promotes emotional intelligence.

Role of Teachers

Teachers play a pivotal role in creating a positive school environment. Their teaching style, attitude, and interaction with students can either motivate or demotivate learners. Teachers who establish a supportive and responsive classroom environment encourage students to actively participate in the learning process.

In conclusion, a positive school environment is a cornerstone of effective learning. It not only enhances academic performance but also fosters social and emotional development. Therefore, schools should strive to create an environment that is physically comfortable, socially nurturing, and emotionally supportive.

500 Words Essay on School Environment

The essence of a school environment.

Schools are not just brick and mortar structures where academic knowledge is imparted. They are dynamic ecosystems where young minds are nurtured, shaped, and molded into responsible citizens. The environment of a school plays a pivotal role in the holistic development of a student, fostering not just intellectual growth but also social, emotional, and moral development.

The Impact of Physical Environment

The physical environment of a school is the first aspect that influences a student’s learning experience. A well-maintained, clean, and vibrant infrastructure can create a positive ambiance that enhances the learning process. Classrooms, libraries, laboratories, sports facilities, and even the school cafeteria contribute to the overall physical environment. These spaces must be designed and maintained in a manner that encourages curiosity, creativity, and collaboration. The physical environment should also cater to the safety and health of students, ensuring adequate sanitation, ventilation, and emergency preparedness.

The Role of Social Environment

The social environment of a school, shaped by the interactions between students, teachers, and other staff members, is equally crucial. A respectful, inclusive, and positive social environment fosters a sense of belonging among students. It encourages them to participate actively in school activities, express their ideas freely, and develop healthy relationships. The social environment also plays a significant role in shaping a student’s behavior, attitudes, and values. Schools must therefore prioritize building a supportive and respectful social environment that celebrates diversity and promotes mutual respect.

The Importance of Emotional Environment

The emotional environment of a school is often overlooked, but it is a vital aspect of a student’s school experience. A positive emotional environment is one where students feel safe, valued, and understood. It promotes emotional well-being and resilience, enabling students to cope with stress, overcome challenges, and develop emotional intelligence. Schools must therefore create an environment where students’ emotional needs are acknowledged and addressed, and where mental health is given the same importance as physical health and academic achievement.

The Influence of Moral Environment

The moral environment of a school shapes the character and values of its students. Schools have a responsibility to instill in students a strong moral compass, guiding them towards ethical behavior and responsible citizenship. This can be achieved by integrating moral and ethical education into the curriculum, promoting community service, and setting a good example through the behavior of teachers and staff.

In conclusion, the environment of a school is a complex and multifaceted entity that significantly influences a student’s development. It is the collective responsibility of school administrators, teachers, parents, and students themselves to create and maintain a positive and conducive school environment. Such an environment not only enhances academic achievement but also contributes to the development of well-rounded individuals who are equipped to face the challenges of the future.

That’s it! I hope the essay helped you.

If you’re looking for more, here are essays on other interesting topics:

• Essay on Pollution Free Environment
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Urban Greening as a Response to Societal Challenges. Toward Biophilic Megacities (Case Studies of Saint Petersburg and Moscow, Russia)

• First Online: 17 March 2023

Cite this chapter

• Diana Dushkova 8 ,
• Maria Ignatieva 9 &
• Irina Melnichuk 10  

Part of the book series: Cities and Nature ((CITIES))

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The population density in megacities is continuously increasing, resulting in a reduction of green spaces and a deterioration in the urban environment quality. Urban green is often being replaced by parking places, shopping centers, and service enterprises. This chapter examines the efforts of two megacities in Russia—Moscow and Saint Petersburg—to organize sustainable greening solutions for their residential areas using new achievements in landscape design theory and practice, such as the concept of the biophilic city. The chapter analyzes the history of greening strategies and discusses the concept of urban green infrastructure and its implementation in both Russian megacities. The chapter presents an assessment of the current state of urban green spaces and the most recent master plans and how these cities are facing and responding to modern societal challenges. The results of an analytical review of the most successful urban greening projects in Moscow and Saint Petersburg are presented as well. The economic and climatic features of the urban green areas and their architectural and planning features are considered, along with strategies for further development of the urban green spaces in both cities, aiming to address the new principles of biophilic cities.

• Urban green spaces
• Greening strategies
• Biophilic cities
• Societal challenges
• Saint Petersburg

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Aleksandrova S (2013) Sustainability principles for St. Petersburg landscape with Scandinavian experience in mind: application of Swedish green space research result of “the eight characteristics”. Master’s thesis, 30 hec, Advanced level, A2E Landscape Architecture—master’s programme, Alnarp

Google Scholar  

Archive Buro of Moscow (2018) Holiday of liberated labor: the first subbotniks in the capital. https://www.mos.ru/news/item/9998073/ . Accessed 10 Jan 2019

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the Russian Foundation for Basic Research (RFBR) project “Mathematical-cartographic assessment of medico-ecological situation in cities of European Russia for their integrated ecological characteristics” (2018–2020) under Grant number No 18-05-406 00236/18 and by the Horizon 2020 Framework Program of the European Union project “Connecting Nature” under Grant Agreement No 730222.

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Dushkova, D., Ignatieva, M., Melnichuk, I. (2023). Urban Greening as a Response to Societal Challenges. Toward Biophilic Megacities (Case Studies of Saint Petersburg and Moscow, Russia). In: Breuste, J., Artmann, M., Ioja, C., Qureshi, S. (eds) Making Green Cities. Cities and Nature. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-73089-5_25

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Students at GreenWood Charter School planting trees to offset energy consumption

By ryan aston - | apr 1, 2024.

Photo supplied, GreenWood Charter School

HARRISVILLE — Students from a local charter school have partnered with a nonprofit to plant tree saplings in an effort to offset the institution’s energy consumption from the past academic year.

GreenWood Charter School, located at 840 N. Highway 89 in Harrisville, set a goal to facilitate the planting of 100 tree saplings — both on-site and through sales to the general public — as part of a partnership with the nonprofit Tree-Plenish.

“The whole purpose is to have the kids calculate our carbon output. So, basically, we were looking at how much paper we use and how we can offset that by planting trees,” Diana Sciandra, GreenWood’s holistic health coach, told the Standard-Examiner.

According to Sciandra, the kids managed to blow past their initial goal; around 150 saplings have been sold. And there’s still an opportunity for the local community to participate.

Tree saplings can be purchased for peoples’ own use or for donation to the school through Wednesday for just $5. Saplings will be distributed on May 3, a day recognized by schools like GreenWood that teach an expeditionary learning curriculum as Better World Day.

In addition to giving out saplings, students are enlisting volunteers to help plant trees on GreenWood’s “Back Seven,” a 7-acre stretch of the school’s property used for outdoor learning and reconnecting with nature, on that day.

According to the Tree-Plenish website, the nonprofit worked with 143 schools to plant 22,496 trees across the country in 2023.

In this the first year of Tree-Plenish’s partnership with GreenWood, the organization worked with faculty to provide mentorship to students. However, the goal is to have students take greater ownership of the program moving forward.

“I kind of took the lead this year, but I want to hand it over and have it be 100% student-led next year,” Sciandra said. “And it’s not only to offset our consumption and to plant trees and to be environmental stewards, but it’s also to provide sixth, seventh and eighth graders an opportunity to work with the business side of it. … Just really amazing skills for the kids to have.”

Along with things like health, wellness and community connectedness, GreenWood has made engaging its student body on environmental issues a considerable part of its mission.

“We’re just committed to environmental stewardship and enhancing the area around us because our kids see the apartments going up,” Sciandra said. “I call myself the grim reaper (in class) sometimes. I have to tell them all these bad things about their food or about the environment. Sometimes they feel really sad that there’s not a lot that they can do.

“We’re constantly, as an administration, as a staff, trying to empower them to critically think and come up with solutions and give them solutions, so that they can feel empowered that it’s not just a losing game here in the environment, that they actually have some say and can take action.”

To purchase a sapling, go to https://tpevents.org/school/4058 ; available tree types include Colorado spruce, common hackberry and downy serviceberry. GreenWood also is seeking corporate sponsors for the May 3 event.

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Why Moscow is the greenest city in the world

A house at Nezhinskaya street, Moscow

According to WorldAtlas, 54 percent of Moscow’s territory is covered by public parks and gardens, making it the greenest city in the world .

There are 20 square meters of trees and shrubs per inhabitant in Moscow – many times more than in Tokyo, London or Beijing. This happened because of the combination of two factors: first, Moscow was initially built amongst the forests of the North-Eastern Russia, second, landscaping and greening started in Moscow as early as the 18th century.

Fortress on a forest hill

Apollinaryi Vasnetsov. The Trubnaya Square in Moscow in the 17th century.

Borovitsky hill, upon which the Moscow Kremlin stands, is named after the word ‘bor’ – ‘forest’ in Russian. And indeed, in the 11th century there was an oak grove here, where the central streets of Moscow are now. Another example is the Church of St. John the Evangelist under the Elm Tree, now on Novaya Square, not far away from the Kremlin. Historian of Moscow Pyotr Sytin believed this church had its name in honor of the dense forest that protected the eastern part of the Kremlin until the 15th century.

Church of St. John the Evangelist under the Elm Tree

In these places, spruce and pine trees predominated, which were actively cut down and used by the city's population for construction. The city was expanding, and the forest was being cut down at its outskirts for building new houses. But these ‘outskirts’ were so close to the Kremlin that it’s now the very center of the city – even in the 17th century, places like Trubnaya Square (a 20 minute walk from the Kremlin) were still largely green, and until the early 19th century, bushes and trees grew right beside the Kremlin wall, in the now obsolete Aloisios’ Ravine, constructed in the 16th century under the supervision of Italian architect Aloisio the New. However, the city’s greenery wasn’t organized in a systematic way.

The Boulevard Ring

Tverskoy Boulevard in Moscow, early 19th century

Catherine the Great, who wanted to update the old capital, ordered the construction of the Boulevard Ring. It took the place of the obsolete Belyi Gorod (‘White City’) fortification wall.

“Moscow is encircled by boulevards – they are not only an ornament, but also an important benefit,” Vladimir Odoevsky, a 19th century Russian journalist, wrote. “When foreigners, looking at the plan of Moscow, see this green ring, we are proud to explain to them that in winter and summer, both sick and healthy, and the elderly, and children can walk around the city, walk between the trees and not be afraid of being hit by a carriage.”

The Kremlin ravine, the 1800s

After the fire of 1812, another green ring appeared – the Sadovoye (‘Garden’) ring, a wide street encircling the fast-growing center and covered in private houses’ gardens.

Greened by the Reds

Sokolniki Park, Moscow

Rapid urbanization starting after the 1917 revolution brought swarms of new inhabitants to Moscow, and the old city had to adjust to the needs of the industrial state. Unfortunately, with the 1930s Stalinist plan of Moscow reconstruction, many historical buildings were demolished, and main streets turned into highways.

Sadovaya-Kudrinskaya, Garden Ring, Moscow, 1928

In the 1930s, the Garden Ring was paved, trees at many squares and streets were cut down, there even were plans to destroy the Boulevard Ring, but fortunately they were not carried out. Georgy Popov (1906-1968), a Moscow Communist Party official, remembered that after WWII, in 1947, Stalin personally supervised the plans for re-greening the city center: “I remember how quickly we were deployed. We planted greenery on Dzerzhinsky Square (now Lubyanka Square), and in Okhotny Ryad, restored the garden on Sverdlov Square (now – Teatralnaya Square), and planted on Bolotnaya Square. Gorky Street was preplanted from Manezhnaya Square to Belorussky railway station. This was the first step in the greening of the central part of the city,” Popov wrote.

Sadovaya-Kudrinskaya, Garden Ring, Moscow, 1936

In 1951, the Moscow government chose from as many as 272 projects for re-greening Moscow. By 1961, forestry workers had planted over 500,000 trees and shrubs in the city. Small-leaved linden, blue spruce, fir, western thuja, irga, golden currant, barberry, and roses.

Gorky Park, Moscow, 1979

The 1950s-1960s also saw the reconstruction of Moscow’s biggest public parks. Gorky Park, transformed in the 1930s from Neskuchny (‘Merry’’) Garden, a 19th century public leisure space, has seen over 2,000 trees and 25,000 shrubs planted annually. The total space of the park expanded to 2.2 sq km, and the total length of the park’s alleys reached 30 km.

In the 20th century, more big parks were organized in Moscow: Sokolniki (5.16 sq km), Izmailovsky (16 sq km), Pokrovskoye-Streshnevo (2.22 sq km), Bitsevski Park (22 sq km), and, most importantly, Losiny Ostrov National Park (116 sq km), the largest urban park in Europe.

Felling a tree, planting two

Japanese garden in Main Botanical Garden in Moscow

Currently, Moscow’s green affairs are under strict control from the city’s government. In 2010-2016, 432,000 trees and 3.5 million shrubs were planted, and since 2013, a government initiative called “A Million Trees” has been implemented, meant to plant vegetation inside the inner yards of apartment buildings, with the plants being chosen on a digital app platform by locals.

Cutting down a tree in Moscow (for example, during a house construction) is very difficult, and if you still have to resort to such a measure, then the developer is obliged to compensate for this by planting two trees. However, these rules do not yet apply to other Russian regions, even in close proximity to the city – for example, the Moscow Oblast’. In 2007-2012 in Khimki, a suburb in Moscow Oblast’, a part of forest containing ancient oaks was being cut down for a road construction project. The project was eventually implemented, and a section of toll road was organized, causing air pollution near the highway, and in addition, noise pollution in the forest.

According to Moscow government’s official portal , by the end of the year, over 5,000 trees and 136,000 shrubs will be planted in Moscow, so the city is not going to lose its status as the greenest capital of the world any time soon. However, the indexes of the air pollution in Moscow are still unfortunately high – the city is still Russia’s largest trade and industrial center. The World Air Quality index places Moscow in 27th place in the air pollution ranking.

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