Rising Energy Costs Plunder School Budgets
U.S. schools spend more on utilities than books and computers combined.
Public schools spent $8 billion on utilities in 2002, up by $2 billion from 2000. When taking diesel costs into account for school buses, the recent spike in energy costs is more daunting.
“Electricity is up approximate 12%, heating oil is up 65%, and natural gas is up 40%,” said Supt. Dr. Patricia Grenier of Barnstable School District. “This is nothing that anyone has done, but this is an impact that must be addressed.”
Some school districts are cutting staff or increasing taxes. Others are even considering a 4 day school week to save on fuel costs. No matter how the budgets are ultimately balanced, it is hard for anyone to get excited about paying more for energy.
The organization, Climate Cycle has created a solution that is gathering momentum and enthusiasm by installing solar systems in public schools. Climate Cycle organizes bike rides to raise awareness and funds to combat climate change. Proceeds from the rides are used to install the solar systems in local schools and for global warming education. The next ride will be on October 4 in downtown Chicago.
Why Solar as a Solution?
Solar technology is a way to supplant the use of fossil fuels, said Joey Feinstein, Executive Director of Climate Cycle. Contrary to most people’s beliefs, residential and commercial buildings are responsible for the lion’s share of greenhouse gas emissions. Putting solar in schools is a great way to reduce the carbon emissions of these buildings.
Solar also saves money for schools who are struggling to balance their budgets as energy prices skyrocket. These solar systems are provided to schools at no cost to them, while giving children first-hand experience with solutions for global warming.
Raising Money and Awareness
Activity based fundraisers are a great way to bring people together and feel invigorated about a cause. Biking also promotes a form of transportation that lessens our dependence on fossil fuels. We are enabling people to have a more visceral and active connection to the cause, at the same time promoting a healthy form of transportation.
Very often we see the solutions to climate change as things we can only do alone, changing a light bulb or choosing a fuel-efficient car that we will very often drive alone. Activity based fundraisers bring people together to do something that they couldn’t do alone. The sum is greater than the parts and it creates a synergy around taking on climate change.
The ride will begin and end at Chicago’s Grant Park where there will be a dynamic closing festival. It will include local talent, such as bands, speakers and vendors. Riders can register at the website for a ten, twenty, or thirty-five mile route. The closing festival is free and open to the public.
Related Posts on Solar Energy:
Solar Thermal Electricity: Can it Replace Coal, Gas, and Oil?
Mega Solar: The World’s 13 Biggest Solar Thermal Energy Projects
Toyota Prius to Get Solar Power
Diff’rent Strokes: Climate Cycle
[...] diesel costs into account for school buses, the recent spike in energy costs is more daunting. Rising Energy Costs Plunder School Budgets : CleanTechnica Good excuse for energy efficiency if ever there was [...]
[...] utility bills continue to rise for public schools, Climate Cycle raises money so that they can install solar energy [...]
We have one new school and another being built currently in Lincoln Way school district in Illinois suburbs just outside of Chicago and I don’t see anything in those two new buildings that is close to green building. Same old same old. And than the district pres will B.tch and complain when they can’t afford the utility bills and ask for more taxes.
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I’m guessing that in the near future, schools will be built with roofs that are made out of solar as a standard feature. This is already starting to get traction in California by developers who are installing solar roofs. Of course, solar doesn’t work everywhere. We’ll need to be able to convert Cradle to Cradle type products into energy through clean combustion of some sort… it’s good the students get a taste of this at this age though- welcome to the Thunderdome anyone?
I like the end of this…a plea for us all to realize we must work together on this issue. So true.