The Commission recently issued recommendations to support schools in transitioning to net-zero energy
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Nell Callahan
nell@frontwoodstrategies.com
Washington, DC, April 1, 2021 – Today, the Aspen Institute’s K12 Climate Action, a group of education and environment experts and advocates, applauded the Biden Administration for including a bold vision for investing in school infrastructure and green career and technical education as part of the American Jobs Act. The Commission, co-chaired by former U.S. Secretary of Education John B. King and former New Jersey Governor and EPA Administrator Christine Todd Whitman, recently issued recommendations to support schools in transitioning to net-zero energy, electrifying the nation’s school bus fleet, expanding access to green schoolyards (including school gardens), and increasing access to green CTE.
“Schools are centers of their communities, and, with over 98,000 schools across the country, are critical infrastructure. The vision laid out by President Biden can create long-term environmental and health benefits, learning opportunities for students, cost savings for taxpayers, and good jobs. We are encouraged by this important first step, and look forward to seeing Congress and the Administration advance these policies to build lasting change for a sustainable future,” said King and Whitman in a joint statement.
In the United States, 50 million children and young people attend public schools. With 98,000 schools, 480,000 diesel school buses, and 7 billion meals served annually, the education sector has a considerable environmental impact and offers one of the greatest opportunities to build long-lasting change to advance sustainability.
For more information, visit k12climateaction.org and join the conversation by following K12 Climate Action on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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The Aspen Institute is a global nonprofit organization committed to realizing a free, just, and equitable society. Founded in 1949, the Institute drives change through dialogue, leadership, and action to help solve the most important challenges facing the United States and the world. Headquartered in Washington, DC, the Institute has a campus in Aspen, Colorado, and an international network of partners. For more information, visit www.aspeninstitute.org.