Yale Blue Green is glad to announce the formation of the YBG Green Schools Initiative.
YBG wishes to encourage Yale alumni to help promote environmental sustainability in
the nation’s 130,000 K-12 schools and 4000 colleges and universities. Yale alumni
have obvious and clear connections to our schools and colleges—we were all educated
in them, many are current faculty or staff, and the rising generation is now stewarding its
own children along the educational path. “Greening” the nation’s schools has long been
a national priority for a number of organizations for many reasons, in part because
doing so can help save resources, protect our children’s health, and inspire our youth to
help address the challenges of environmental decline and climate change.
As defined by the US Green Ribbon School Program in 2011, a green school has Three
Pillars of Sustainability: 1. Reduced Environmental Impact (energy conservation, waste
reduction, water conservation, and promoting eco-friendly transportation; 2. Improved
Health and Wellness (good nutrition, physical education, mental health resources, and
access to nature); and 3. Effective Environmental and Sustainability Education (in the
curriculum across all disciplines through civic engagement). The Green Ribbon
Program became a model certification program for the nation because of its federal
status, comprehensive nature, and wide engagement. While it was ended in March by
the current administration, a number of states have continued the program, California
among them; the California Department of Education website provides rich detail on the
program and the resources available to schools.
Yale Blue Green is working with Yale Alumni Educators (YAEd) to promote green
schools. In August 2025 we conducted a short survey of the 520 YAEd members in
August to determine the potential engagement of Yale alumni to green schools and
colleges. From a small sample we learned about half are K-12 teachers/administrators,
a third are college faculty/ administrators, and environmental sustainability was a priority
for over half. Respondents identified the need for networking, help working with
students, financial support, technical expertise, and information about what it means to
be a green school. We believe the survey suggests potential for YBG to support alumni
interested in advancing environmental sustainability in their schools and colleges.
We invite interested alumni to be in touch with us about the YBG Green Schools
Initiative. We are eager to hear your stories, and your questions, about green schools
and colleges you may work in, or where you may have children enrolled. We ask alums
who can offer specific knowledge and experience in the three pillars of sustainability
schools to step forward. Below we offer a list of selected resources on green,
sustainable schools. With a dedicated, organized and sustained effort, we think Yale
Blue Green can help make an impact in the movement to green our schools. Please let
us know of your questions, and your interest.
You can find Green Schools Resources here.
Bob Smith, roberthsmith1952@gmail.com, Paul Chapman, pchapman5@gmail.com