 |
 |
  |
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
 |
 |
A sustainable future can only be achieved if we inspire today's youth and future generations to make more sustainable choices. Through public forums, our Green Schools and Youth Forum programs, and Sustainable Community Indicators, we use public outreach and education to help guide citizens to the best possible future. The City of San Diego leads by example by creating models for sustainable living for future generations. Drawing on local, state and national resources, City staff creates, manages and implements programs that inspire young and old alike to get involved and take an active role in their communities. Climate Protection Champion AwardsCouncil President Scott Peters honored winners of the Second Annual Climate Protection Champion Celebration during a City Council meeting on Earth Day, April 22, 2008. "We each have a role to play in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and preserving the environment for our children and grandchildren. These awards recognize the outstanding contributions of dozens of local companies and individuals who can inspire others to take up the cause of recycling and environmental protection," said Elmer L. Heap, Jr., Deputy Chief Operating Officer for Community Services. The U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement, signed in 2006 by Mayor Jerry Sanders, launched the City's Climate Protection Champion Award, which encourages businesses, non-profit organizations and academic institutions to significantly reduce global warming emissions in the San Diego region. 2008 San Diego Climate Protection Champion Awards:
Bank of America Bank of America announced a $20 billion environmental initiative in March 2007 to encourage development of environmentally sustainable business practices through lending, investing, philanthropy and the creation of new products and services. The bank awarded $500,000 in "Green Grants" in January 2008 to the San Diego Foundation's Climate Initiative, the San Diego Regional Economic Development corporation, La Maestra, and the California Center for Sustainable Energy.
UCSD University of California San Diego recently became the first campus on the West Coast to join the Chicago Climate Exchange, North America's only voluntary legally binding trading system, to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases. As the first university in California to have been recognized by the California Climate Action Registry as a "Climate Action Leader," UC San Diego's goal is to become a living laboratory for climate solutions by being an early adopter of real-world tools and leading-edge technologies for San Diego and the global marketplace for successfully measuring, certifying and reporting its greenhouse gas emissions to the Registry and the public.
Amylin Pharmaceutical Amylin Pharmaceuticals employs a multi-pronged approach to reducing greenhouse gas emissions that includes financial subsidies for employees who use mass transportation, energy and water conservation programs, and the support of a company "Green Team" that seeks to continually improve the environmental programs.
Green Schools ProgramThe City of San Diego's Green Schools Program began in 2001 to build a better understanding of personal action and responsibility as a cornerstone of environmental protection. Since then, more than 3,500 students have benefited from participating in the program, and more than 41,000 kilowatt-hours of energy-saving community service projects have been completed.
The Green Schools Program teaches future solutions NOWClimate change is a global issue influenced by local actions. The Greens Schools Program emphasizes the climate protection issue by linking the collective impact of personal actions related to energy and water conservation, public health and waste reduction. Students are given practical examples they can take into action TODAY to make a positive difference for San Diego's future.The Green Schools Program will come to your schoolThis successful program offers interactive lectures and an energy audit training that will take place on the campus of high schools registered in the Green Schools Program. Students will have the opportunity to retrofit community centers with more energy efficient materials. Once completed, the program will conclude with a countywide Youth Forum.The Green Schools Program is interactiveClassroom Learning: An interactive lesson is given by experienced program staff that links local energy use, global trends and resulting environmental and societal impacts. Each of these topics is covered in the presentation, which includes: greenhouse effect, water and energy conservation, renewable and nonrenewable energy sources, home energy audits, environmental health, waste reduction and transportation issues. Hands-On Learning: An energy engineer leads students on an energy audit of their school. Students may inspect their classrooms, gymnasium, boiler room, library or other applicable rooms on campus. The students operate and handle engineering diagnostic tools. With the engineer's help, students brainstorm ideas that could improve efficiency in that particular area. A final report compiled by the students may be submitted to the administrative staff of the high school. Community Service: Students can participate in an optional community service project at a selected not-for-profit facility. An energy audit of the facility is completed and students provide recommendations for a cost-effective energy efficiency retrofit. A trained professional technician then makes the identified improvements. Youth Forum: A four-hour forum for high school students is held each spring. It is an opportunity for students from a broad range of high schools to discuss what they understand about the future of our region with respect to resource use, waste reduction and other key challenges they have identified. Prominent speakers and elected officials participate, and the goal is to empower the students to speak out and make a difference. ParticipationA partnership between the Green Action Program and your high school requires a two-way commitment. School staff is needed to facilitate on-site visits, and assist with scheduling and coordinating students for one classroom instruction session (45-60 minutes), a school energy survey (45-60 minutes), and an off-campus community service project. Presentations are given in the classroom by program staff, and school energy surveys are led by an energy engineer with assistance from your school’s facilities maintenance staff. The preferable times for the classroom instruction are mid-October to mid-November in the fall, and mid-January to early March in spring. Community service projects are coordinated with non-profit organizations. We request that teachers attend the community service project. An optional field trip to the City’s Ridgehaven "Green Building" can also be arranged. The goal is for students to have a better understanding of how they can personally make the San Diego region a better place to live. Kathie Pishny This program is funded by California utility ratepayers under the auspices of the California Public Utilities Commission. Este programa esta financiado por los usuarios de servicios publicos en California bajo la jurisdiccion de la Comision de Servicios de California. Links and Resources |
|
|
| | Home | Business | City Hall | Community | Departments | Information | Leisure | Services A-Z | Visiting | |
| | Search | Site Map | Contact the City | Privacy Notice | Disclaimers | |
Green
Schools Video
