Green Schools: Transforming Education to Save the Planet
Find out how sustainable schools are promoting an authentic educational revolution by assuming nature and sustainability as central learning axes, and how this stance can decisively contribute to building a more balanced and prosperous future for society as a whole
Education is essential for society and Sustainability is fundamental for the future of the planet. How can we make schools greener and more sustainable? The answer can be found in Green Schools or Sustainable Schools. Innovative institutions that place nature and sustainability at the center of Education. Join me in this article to discover a little more about how Education can be transformed to save the planet.
A sustainable school is an educational institution that incorporates ecological practices into its infrastructure and educational methodology. These schools seek to balance social, economic and environmental development in order to ensure long-term sustainability.
A sustainable school has the following characteristics:
- Green infrastructure: built with sustainable materials and a renewable energy system (solar panels and wind turbines), sustainable schools have gardens and organic vegetable gardens, which can be used to teach healthy nutrition.
- Environmental management: selective waste collection, composting and efficient water use programs are promoted.
- Community Engagement: Schools offer environmental education programs to the local community and create partnerships with companies to carry out sustainable practices.
- Educational methodology: student-centered methodology, emphasizing experiential and participatory learning. This includes outdoor practices, skills development and entrepreneurial education.
“I love studying at our Green School! Every day I learn something new about the environment and how we can help preserve it. We have outdoor classes, garden, compost, and we learn how to separate garbage and recycle. We also have projects to care for the school’s animals and plants. Our teachers are amazing and help us understand the importance of being sustainable at home too. I am very happy to be part of a school that cares so much about the environment and the future of the planet.” — Sofia, age 9, a student at Green School Bali.
The Green School Bali is considered the first green school in the world. It was founded in 2006 by John and Cynthia Hardy, an American couple who wanted to offer a more sustainable education for their children. Located in Ubud, Indonesia, it is an international school that adopts sustainable practices in all its activities.
Since its founding, Green School Bali has been an inspiring model for green schools around the world, showing that it is possible to deliver quality education while preserving the environment and building a more sustainable future.
“It’s not just about building sustainable schools. It’s about building sustainable minds.” — John Hardy
Philosophy and Methodology
The philosophy and educational methodology of a sustainable school integrate academic learning with environmental, social and cultural awareness. It has a broad and flexible vision of education, valuing students’ personal and emotional development, as well as their ability to positively influence the world around them.
The methodology is based on a holistic approach that encourages experiential and hands-on learning in a natural and creative environment. Students learn outdoors, interact with nature and the local community, and develop interpersonal, creativity, and problem-solving skills.
“By integrating sustainability into all aspects of the school environment, sustainable schools are shaping the next generation of leaders and innovators to address some of the most complex and critical challenges we face as a society” — Sir Ken Robinson, British educator, author and TED speaker
Mission, Vision and Values of a sustainable school
Mission — to promote a sustainable education that prepares students to be thoughtful and responsible leaders in their communities and the world.
Vision — to help co-create a future in which all students have the opportunity to learn in an environment that values and respects nature.
Values — sustainability, empathy, diversity, collaboration, creativity and innovation.
Socio-emotional skills
Green schools not only promote environmental sustainability, but also provide psychological and emotional benefits for students, including better academic performance, increased attention span and attention span, and development of social-emotional skills such as empathy and compassion.
By promoting values such as social responsibility and cooperation, sustainable schools help develop self-confidence, self-esteem and a sense of purpose. By integrating environmental education with other areas of knowledge, these schools help prepare children for a more aware and compassionate future.
Sustainable schools around the world
There are several sustainable schools around the world, each with their own unique approach to sustainability and education.
The Sustainable Schools methodology has already been implemented in 15 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean in a total of 23,000 schools! In 2022, the Project held a webinar “Sustainable Schools: A decade of transforming school meals, focusing on the human right to adequate food” to present the data and results of 10 years of the project.
- The Santa Cruz Waldorf School in California emphasizes holistic student development, uses sustainable materials in its art projects, and offers a wide range of outdoor activities;
- The International Green School in Hamburg, Germany, uses a project-based learning model and promotes healthy and sustainable eating;
The Bosques de Pinares School, located in Colombia, was designed with sustainable materials, uses solar energy and encourages recycling and composting; - Riverside School, located in Ahmedabad, India, is designed to maximize natural ventilation and lighting and has an organic vegetable garden and composting system;
- Ecoescuela San Roque, located in Peru, was built with local and sustainable materials and has a rainwater harvesting system;
- In Australia, the CERES Community Environment Park school in Melbourne also acts as a community center for ecological learning and provides environmental education for children and adults;
- In Mexico, Escola Verde in Puebla and Escola Secundária Técnica 1 in Mexico City follow the “National School Sustainability Program” by implementing sustainable initiatives, including the installation of solar panels, a rainwater harvesting system and waste recycling.
UNESCO is the lead UN agency for the promotion of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) and is responsible for the management, coordination and implementation at the global level of the Global Action Program (GAP) on ESD.
The Brazilian government invests in a project of sustainable schools called: “Vamos Cuidar do Brasil” which covers concepts and practices in environmental education in schools. You can view the entire publication on the UNESCO website at: “National Children’s and Youth Conference for the Environment, 2nd, Brasília, 2007”.
- The Sustainable School in Pernambuco uses ecological materials and has a rainwater harvesting system, while the Ivoti Education Institute in Rio Grande do Sul promotes sustainability in its school curricula.
The Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation (ICMBio) and the Municipal School Professora Adelaide Maria Fleming Bacelar, in Itamonte (MG), joined forces to create the Escola na APA program, which aims to provide environmental education to elementary school students about the Area of Environmental Protection (APA) of Serra da Mantiqueira. Visits include topics such as the importance of conserving the environment, water and local biodiversity, in addition to the issue of garbage. Students learn how to make compost in practice, participate in a workshop on reusable materials, make toys with previously separated material and also have the opportunity to cultivate a vegetable garden. In addition to the Escola na APA program, other environmental activities are carried out in the Itamonte region, including a short cooking course with pine nuts, a typical fruit from the Serra da Mantiqueira region. Participants learn to prepare delicious dishes with pine nuts, at the same time, learn about the importance of preserving the araucarias and the ecosystem in which they live.
The curriculum of sustainable schools
A sustainable school has a curriculum similar to a traditional school, with subjects such as math, science, languages, history and geography. However, the difference is in the way these subjects are taught and how they relate to sustainability.
In addition to conventional subjects, a sustainable school can include specific subjects about the environment and encourage extracurricular activities, such as the creation of organic gardens, recycling projects, composting, among others.
These subjects can be taught in an interdisciplinary way. For example, a math class might include problems related to energy efficiency and reducing food waste. A history class can address the relationship of societies with the environment over time. A Portuguese language class can include reading and discussing texts on the importance of environmental preservation. In art classes, students can create works that reflect the relationship between humans and nature, addressing contemporary environmental challenges. Art can also be used as a tool for raising environmental awareness, through exhibitions that show the negative impact that human action has on nature.
A green curriculum greatly values environmental education, offering its students various activities that seek to promote awareness of these issues. An example is the Eco Club, a club where students meet to discuss and implement projects. They carry out activities such as planting trees, selective collection, cleaning beaches and rivers and creating social projects providing support for local businesses, such as the Eco-Materiais project, in which students create products from recycled materials.
Schools have vegetable gardens where students grow and harvest their own food. Healthy and sustainable eating practices are encouraged through programs that offer organic food produced locally, free of pesticides.
The main objective is to contribute to students’ awareness of the importance of preserving the environment and conscious consumption, in addition to positively impacting academic performance, concentration and physical and mental well-being.
What is a day at a sustainable school like?
A day at a sustainable school can be quite different from what you experience at a traditional school:
8:00 am — Arrive at school: Students arrive at the school by bicycle, foot or public transport and are greeted by faculty and staff who encourage connection with nature through community gardens or small gardens with local plants.
8:30 am— Outdoor yoga class: which helps to calm the mind and connect with nature.
9:00am — Science class: The first class explores topics such as biodiversity, climate change and conservation of natural resources. Students record their own observations about the environment.
10:00 am — Break: an opportunity to explore the natural environment, participate in activities such as gardening and composting, play in green areas or learn about the plants and animals that surround them.
11:00 am— Art Class: Students create works of art with natural materials (twigs, leaves and rocks) and learn about artists who were inspired by nature.
Midday— Lunch: Lunch is prepared with organic and local foods. On some occasions, students help to pick vegetables and fruits in the school garden.
1:30pm — History lesson: teaching about cultures and societies that lived in harmony with the environment and how the relationship between humans and nature has changed over time.
3:00pm — Extra class: encourages the analysis of the natural environment, with forest trails, climbing and canoeing classes.
4:30pm — End of classes: Students leave the school and are encouraged to continue their activities in their free time, as well as share learnings with colleagues and family.
Sustainable architecture
The construction of sustainable schools requires the application of an equally sustainable architecture, thus contributing to the promotion of health and well-being of students.
To achieve this goal, it is essential to choose healthy building materials (such as zero VOC paints), install rainwater harvesting systems, solar panels, natural ventilation, LED lighting and use technologies to reduce energy and water consumption. Incorporating gardens and green spaces around the school can reduce pollution and improve air and water quality, and the school’s architectural design can promote a connection with nature and the surrounding environment.
Training future leaders
Sustainable schools play a key role in training critical and aware citizens capable of facing the socio-environmental challenges of this century. These schools promote sustainable practices and environmental education, which contributes to a more complete and holistic education of students. The integration of environmental education with other areas of knowledge helps students develop skills such as critical thinking, teamwork, leadership and problem-solving, which are essential to face socio-environmental challenges.
Students have the opportunity to participate in projects and activities that promote sustainability, social equity and inclusion. In this way, Green Schools help form conscious and engaged citizens. As a result, students become leaders committed to global sustainability, ready to tackle environmental challenges and inspired to become agents of change for a more sustainable and just future.
“Sustainable education is a transformative process, involving a paradigm shift in the way we think about the relationship between humanity and nature. Sustainable schools play a key role in this process by promoting environmental awareness and active student participation in building sustainable solutions to current and future challenges” — Vandana Shiva, Indian environmental activist and author of “Biopiracy: The Plunder of Nature and Knowledge”.
How multinationals can support and encourage sustainable schools
Multinational companies can play a key role in promoting sustainable education, contributing to the formation of a generation of business leaders who are more aware and engaged in sustainable practices.
Investing in sustainable education programs: Companies can provide resources for schools and education programs that teach about sustainability and responsible environmental practices.
Developing and supporting internship and mentoring programs: Multinational companies can provide programs that allow young students to learn about sustainable practices in a business environment, gaining practical experience and knowledge about how companies adopt sustainable practices.
Promoting public-private partnerships — Businesses can collaborate with governments, non-governmental organizations and other businesses to promote large-scale sustainable education initiatives.
Investing in research and development of green technologies — Multinational companies can fund research and development of technologies to help reduce the environmental impact of their operations and products.
Adopting sustainable practices — finally, multinational companies can lead by example, adopting sustainable practices in their own operations, demonstrating a commitment to sustainability and encouraging other companies to do the same.
How the government can support and encourage sustainable schools
The government can play a key role in creating more sustainable schools, contributing to the formation of a generation of students who are aware and engaged in responsible environmental practices:
Green infrastructure — the government can invest in building sustainable school buildings and installing renewable energy and rainwater harvesting systems.
Resources and Materials — for education programs that teach about sustainability and responsible environmental practices.
Environmental policies and regulations — that encourage schools to adopt more sustainable practices, such as reducing the use of single-use plastics and encouraging the separation and recycling of waste.
Public-private partnerships — the government can collaborate with businesses and non-governmental organizations to promote large-scale sustainable education initiatives.
Training programs for educators — the development of training programs for educators, providing the knowledge and skills needed to teach responsible environmental practices.
Sustainable Schools in the Future
The Green School in Bali is leading the way in taking a holistic and hands-on approach to sustainable education. They are developing new educational technologies and methodologies, collaborating with local organizations and businesses to provide real-world learning experiences. As a result, it is becoming a model for other schools and education systems around the world, producing a new generation of leaders committed to global sustainability.
There is still a long way to go for all schools to become sustainable. Currently, schools that adopt sustainable practices in their structures and curricula are still a minority compared to the total number of educational institutions, and many schools face financial and structural challenges that make it difficult to implement sustainable practices. However, there is a growing trend towards sustainability in education, and many governments and organizations are investing in programs and initiatives.
Challenges and opportunities to create and maintain a sustainable school
Creating and maintaining a sustainable school can be a challenge. A sustainable school requires a strong commitment to environmental, social and economic responsibility, which can require significant changes in how school operations are managed and how education is delivered.
However, the benefits of creating and maintaining a sustainable school are significant, as it can improve students’ health and well-being, provide a more engaging education, and prepare them to meet the environmental challenges of the future.
Would you like to work in a sustainable school?
Teachers and educators who wish to work in a sustainable school must have training in areas related to environmental education, sustainability and conservation practices. It is important to be up to date on new trends, technologies, practices related to education and to have skills in leadership, communication, teamwork and innovation. Educators must be prepared to work in a dynamic, collaborative and interdisciplinary environment.
For those wishing to specialize in environmental and sustainability education, there are a variety of courses and training programs available. Universities offer undergraduate and graduate courses, as well as specific training programs for teachers and educators.
Educators can follow different career paths, from project coordinators and environmental education managers, to directors and pedagogical leaders. A career in Sustainable Education can be challenging but rewarding as it offers the opportunity to contribute to building a more sustainable and equitable future for generations to come.
As an educator, I see the sustainable school as a model that has much to contribute to education in general. I want this type of school to be spread globally, so that more children and young people can have access to an education that respects nature, culture and society and encourages them to contribute to a more just, balanced and sustainable world.
Sustainable schools are the key to awakening environmental awareness in new generations and training human beings responsible for the future. As educators, students, parents, governments, businesses and society at large, we have an important role to play in making sustainable schools an affordable reality. I invite everyone to act in favor of this cause, so that we can contribute to a better future for everyone and for the planet.
I take the opportunity to share that I am currently developing an educational project in partnership with multinationals to implement sustainable schools around the world. The Global Green Schools Initiative — (GGSI) will establish green schools in all countries, thus promoting sustainable and conscious education. The initiative will provide training and resources for schools to implement sustainable practices and develop environmental education programs for students. Additionally, it will engage the community in sustainability initiatives and work with policymakers to promote sustainable educational practices. Together, we can make a difference and create a more just, balanced and sustainable world.
Research
Book — Sustainable Schools: a guide to transform the educational environment. Senac Publisher
Book — For a Democratic Revolution of Justice — Boaventura de Sousa Santos
TED Talk — “Green School Dream: A School Built Entirely Out of Bamboo.” TEDxUbud, 2010 — John Foster
TED talk — “The Future of Education.” TEDxLondon, 2013. — Tristram McMillan
Documentary — Canal Futura “Green Schools: Sustainable Schools.” Program produced by Canal Futura. Available at: https://www.futura.org.br/especiais/green-schools-escolas-sustentaveis/
“Agenda 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals.” Document produced by the United Nations (UN), 2015. Available at: https://nacoesunidas.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/agenda2030-pt-br.pdf
