ABOUT
At a time when the American people are making historic investments in rebuilding our economy, investing in New York City schools is a perfect opportunity to Build Back Better. We can simultaneously take on climate change, make school facilities healthier for students and the school community, create good union jobs, and save millions in energy costs. We can have a real impact on carbon emissions, address long-standing problems in our school buildings—from antiquated heating and air conditioning systems to deteriorating rooftops to outdated electrical grids—and help put New Yorkers back to work.
The Carbon Free and Healthy Schools campaign is an initiative led by labor unions to urge federal and local lawmakers to retrofit schools for energy efficiencies, including solar power, to create a safe, healthy, cost-effective school environment while contributing to a greener New York City.
WE BELIEVE THAT:
Schools should be healthy and safe for students, staff, and the community.
Schools should be a model for carbon free buildings with optimal energy efficiencies.
Schools most in need of investment should be prioritized, including those with the most antiquated heating and cooling systems—particularly in Black and Brown communities that have been historically underserved and poorly maintained.
Schools should utilize rooftops to generate their own solar power.
Schools should reinvest the cost-savings from their own solar power into ongoing maintenance of the buildings and classroom instruction.
Retrofitting schools for energy efficiency and solar power must create good union jobs for New York City communities.
Federal lawmakers should fund energy audits on all New York City public schools and provide low-cost financing for retrofits as part of its investments in infrastructure.
Local lawmakers should commit to fully implementing the funding already allocated for energy efficiency retrofits and solar panels on schools.
New York City should lead the way to create Carbon Free and Healthy Schools and green infrastructure to tackle the climate crisis.