Green Living: Buildings & Careers

What's the problem?

Americans spend an average of 90% of their time indoors. According to the EPA, US buildings account for the following percentages nationally: 74% of total electricity consumption, 13% of the total water consumption, and 40% of the carbon dioxide emissions. Toxic chemicals that are emitted from materials like paint and carpeting can cause many health problems, like fatigue, headaches, drowsiness that disproportionately affect low income and BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Color) communities. On top of this, buildings produce tons of carbon emissions contributing more to climate change. Even if buildings actively endorse green-building practices such as relying on energy-efficient heating pumps, they may indirectly contribute to climate change if their electrical supply comes from a power station dependent on the burning of fossil fuels. 

Why should we care?

“Green Builders" are beginning to focus on the design, construction, materials, and large-scale manufacturing of green buildings that could provide individuals with a more responsible way to consume natural resources. As we continue to expand and build communities, Green Building is not the only industry that has experienced a large boom. Green Careers are jobs in businesses that produce goods or provide services that benefit the environment, or jobs in which workers' duties involve making their production processes more environmentally friendly or use fewer resources. Additionally, workers with degrees in Science, Technology, Engineering and/or Mathematics (STEM) play a key role in the sustained growth and stability of the U.S. economy, and are a critical component to helping the U.S. win the future. According to the U. S. Department of Commerce, STEM occupations are growing at 8%, while other occupations are growing at 3.4%.

What can we do?

Students and teachers can play a part in helping promote Green Buildings by learning about how they can become "Green Schools". Successful green schools teach students how to lead a changing world and support student understanding by modelling sustainable behavior through green operations and building practices. Students can help improve their school grounds by monitoring and maintaining public spaces, as well as advocating for and leading restoration projects of local habitats. Teachers can create opportunities for students to learn about engineering and manufacturing green jobs and encourage innovations and inventions that specifically focus on solving local, national, and international environmental problems.

Green Schools Challenge Activities:

• Community Building (Pre-K through 1st grade) - Design Your Ecosystem

• Hands On Learning (2nd through 3rd grade) - Green Careers

• Lab Activity (4th through 5th grade) - Biomimicry: Engineering in Nature

• Create Your Own (Pre-K through 5th grade) - Submit Lesson Plan click here

Additional Lesson Ideas: American Society of Landscape Architects - Tools for Teachers

Schools can choose to do more than one activity but maximum amount of points a school can earn for this topic is the same. Points for participation will be based on a rubric. Download here.

Green Living (Building & Careers) Activity Submission Form Click Here