On Wednesday, February 1, at 7pm, Wilton Go Green and Waste Free Greenwich will host “K-12 Climate Action in Connecticut,” a webinar which highlights how the education sector can lead on climate solutions in the Nutmeg State. Explore the Aspen Institute’s K12 Climate Action plan and This Is Planet Ed initiative to learn how education systems can reduce their carbon footprints through energy, transportation and food and discover how Mansfield Public Schools are reducing their climate impact and saving money through their new net zero school building.
Panelists include:
Laura Schifter, Senior Fellow, This Is Planet Ed at the Aspen Institute
Peter Dart, Superintendent, Mansfield Public Schools
Randy Walikonis, Chair, Mansfield School Building Committee
The education sector in the U.S. has a considerable environmental impact. American public schools use nearly 480,000 diesel school buses, serve over 7 billion meals annually and are one of the largest energy consumers in the public sector. The Aspen Institute’s 2021 K12 Climate Action Plan guides the transition to more sustainable operations across four key areas of focus – mitigation, adaptation, education and advancement of equity. The plan identifies opportunities to prepare students to lead a sustainable future and to assist school districts in developing and implementing local climate action plans.
This Is Planet Ed builds on the success of K12 Climate Action unlocking the power of education from the early years to higher education to empower the next generation to lead a sustainable, resilient and equitable future. “Every young person should have the opportunity to actively participate in building a more sustainable future and thriving planet,” explained former Environmental Protection Agency Administrator and Governor Christine Todd Whitman, who co-chairs This Is Planet Ed along with former Secretary of Education John B. King.
The new Mansfield School will be one of Connecticut’s first net zero schools, featuring solar panels, geothermal wells and outdoor learning spaces including pollinator and rain gardens and composting area. “This project will be the pride of our community,” stated Mansfield Superintendent Peter Dart. “It speaks seriously to our commitment to being citizens of the world and to sustainability.” The presenters will share the building project and provide recommendations that can be adapted by other school districts in Connecticut to better help schools prepare for the reality of climate change and the impact it will have on students, teachers and communities.
Register at https://bit.ly/K12climateaction
Wilton Go Green was established in 2010 by a group of Wilton residents passionate about engaging, educating and empowering their community to embrace sustainable initiatives. The not-for-profit focuses on implementing green initiatives to support clean air, water and land conservation as well as waste free living at home, at school and in the workplace. Visit www.wiltongogreen.org to learn more.
Waste Free Greenwich is a grassroots organization founded in 2019 to engage, educate and empower the Greenwich community to waste less through prevention, recycling and diversion. To learn more, visit www.wastefreegreenwich.org.