A new report released by the American Institute of Architects has found that implementing green building techniques in schools has benefits beyond the environment. Test scores and student health have also been shown to increase.
"The report includes a detailed analysis of 30 green schools built in 10 states between 2001 and 2006, and demonstrates that the total financial benefits of green schools are 20 times greater than the initial cost, and include energy and water savings, and improved student health and test scores."
" 'This study underscores the enormous cost of poor design and the critical impact that good design and operation has on the quality of our children's education,' said AIA President Kate Schwennsen, FAIA. 'The findings indicate that there are tremendous benefits from energy-efficient school design, not only from an economic standpoint, but from increased student test scores and far healthier environments through improved indoor air quality.' "
"If all new school construction and school renovations were designed to be environmentally conscious starting today, energy savings alone would total $20 billion over the next 10 years."
FULL STORY: Greening America's Schools
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Economic & Planning Systems, Inc.
UCLA Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
City of Piedmont, CA
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research