WELCOME!
Recent News and Updates
NYC Is in a drought! Every Drop counts:
Only run dishwashers and washing machines when full. Save even more by using the short cycle!
Taking shorter showers can save 5 to 7 gallons a minute.
Turning off the faucet while washing your hands or brushing your teeth can save 2 to 3 gallons a minute.
Sweep your sidewalk or driveway instead of using water.
Use a rain barrel.
Resources:
Backpack Guidance for Drought Warning from Principals Digest.
NYC Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) - Water Conservation Resources
More water saving tips can be found on DEP's website
Waste Climate Action Day
Thank you to all the schools who have participated in Waste Climate Action Day!
We are so grateful to Sustainability Coordinators, Green Teams, and all the facilities staff, students, and educators who make Climate Action Days possible.
Our office wants to know about your planning process and the resources you found useful. The more submissions we have, the better we can support you!
Congratulations to the 31 winners of our Climate Action Challenge!
This inaugural program was designed to encourage all NYC Public Schools to build school-wide and long-lasting climate action projects and give sustainability superstar schools some recognition!
Schools had to participate with rigor in all 4 Climate Action Days AND demonstrate impactful projects in four other climate action categories.
Each winning school won $2,500 for a climate action project next school year. Click here to see the list of all the winning schools!
2022-23 annual report
Our 2022-23 Annual Report is here! The 2022-23 school year was a busy one! We:
Advocated to include NYCPS K–12 climate goals in PlaNYC, including first-ever education goals
Reached 17.7 cumulative megawatts (mW) of clean energy through solar installations
Expanded Curbside Composting to all Bronx K–12 schools
Led twenty climate-focused professional learning opportunities and events, including workshops facilitated by teacher members of the Climate Education Leadership Team (CELT)
Awarded $611,513 in funding and materials to 146 schools through our Annual Sustainability Project Grant Program, the largest sum yet
We couldn't have done this without our students, staff, families, and partners - thank you!
Climate Education in PlaNYC
For the first time, climate education is in NYC’s strategic climate plan!
Alongside reducing greenhouse gas emissions in our school buildings, PlaNYC: Getting Sustainability Done formalizes climate education and green workforce training goals.
Key commitments include:
Integration of climate education across all subject and grade areas
Establishing a school certification program for climate education
A Climate Action Day in all public schools in the 2023-24 school year
NYC Public Schools are also expanding green workforce education, with a focus on climate sustainability, resilience, and the green economy.
We owe our Climate Education Leadership Team gratitude - this group of educators directly contributed to these goals!
We could not do it without our partner organizations, and our partnerships within NYC Public Schools and other City agencies!
Access the full PlaNYC: Getting Sustainability Done, and check PDF pages 59-60 and 64 for climate education commitments.
