Building an Equitable and Sustainable Future

Climate change impacts everyone—but not equally. As climate ravages through communities and negatively impacts our planet, more often than not, this burden falls on communities of color and low-income communities. These experiences are left out of the climate conversation. So, we must advance equity, center the voices of those most affected and vulnerable, and support policies of environmental justice in our schools.

The climate crisis is our chance to advance equity.

Schools can enable all young people to respond to the climate crisis

Young people are already—and have been for a while—calling for climate action. They want cleaner, more equitable communities now, as well as in the future because that’s the issue of their lifetime.

By putting climate action at the heart of schools all over Westchester, we can create powerful learning opportunities for our students. By taking this initiative and leading by example, we can equip young people for the opportunities and green jobs of the future.

Taking action on the local level will  empower Westchester youth to respond to these issues—especially the ones that deeply affect them and the people they love. 

In this process, it’s crucial that no one is left behind. Focusing specifically on schools allows every single young person to feel prepared for the change ahead; ready to enjoy the benefits and opportunities the sustainable future will bring. 

WGC-USA creating opportunities for every school in Westchester.

  1. New York State Funding

New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) will be investing $59 million in more than 500 public and private schools operating in disadvantaged communities.

This new Clean Green Schools initiative aims to advance clean energy and energy efficiency solutions to improve indoor air quality and reduce emissions for Pre-K-12 schools in disadvantaged communities across New York State.

As part of the program, the State will convene education leaders this fall, including school superintendents, administrators, and educators, to inform the initiative launching in early 2022 to address climate justice issues and create improved, healthier learning environments for students.

This effort supports New York's nation-leading goal of an 85 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 under the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (Climate Act).

WGC USA is committed to working in Westchester’s under-served communities in an effort to help them secure their fair share of this funding.

2. Carbon Credits

There can be no doubt that climate change impacts poorer communities, be they in the US or India. WGC USA is committed to being proactive in advancing equity as an integral part of our climate change strategy.

In addition, one of the reasons WGC USA is promoting the UNFCCC program is because the compensation part of that program helps channel investment from resource-rich Westchester into countries with far lower per capita income in keeping with one of the principal declarations to come out of COP 26.

Through the United Nations Carbon Offset Program individuals and organizations can compensate for the emissions they cannot avoid by supporting projects that reduce emissions in various parts of the globe.

  1. Replace the use of dirty fossil fuels with clean renewable energy (wind, hydro, solar, biomass).

  2. Reduce energy consumption and the use of fossil fuels through energy efficiency measures (clean cooking stoves, energy-efficient light bulbs).

  3. Capture already released carbon in trees and other plants (reforestation and forest regeneration projects).

  4. Support sustainable development of developing nations

Funding Opportunities Available from NYSERDA

  • This program which is entitled the P-12 Schools: Green and Clean Energy Solutions provides cost-sharing for energy studies to reduce energy use, cost-sharing for clean heating and cooling and net zero design, and direct incentives for eligible energy load reduction projects. NYSERDA will pay up to 75% of the cost of these studies capped at $250,000. High needs districts are eligible for 100% funding.

  • The Clean Green Schools Initiative was released, which will benefit more than 500 public and private schools in disadvantaged communities with clean energy and energy efficiency solutions, creating a healthier learning environment in schools across New York State.

    The initiative will offer funding for services that will help schools evaluate, plan for and facilitate energy reduction projects, clean energy projects and indoor air quality projects as well as funding to implement projects that will decarbonize their building portfolio.

    Additional funding will be provided for students, faculty and staff to engage in clean energy educational opportunities, such as integrating clean energy concepts into the classroom or supporting students to explore clean energy careers.

The power this action holds should not be underestimated.

Green County USA is playing a fundamental role in bringing Westchester schools and our education system on board in fighting the climate crisis. More notably, this effort enables schools to lead by example in inspiring the young people it educates every day to focus on how to act on climate change and how to keep our planet’s health at the heart of every decision we make.