What do you think that AUSD should do to be more Green?

Currently, AUSD has green programs that focus on a robust recycling and food compost program and the environment. This environmental literacy program works to make every student in Alameda feel connected to the outdoors through field trips, access to service learning experiences and field-based experiments.

The curriculum has students using science inquiry, critical thinking, and environmental know-how to help prepare them to solve the world’s problems. The AUSD district is recognized as an Ocean Guardian designee as well.

AUSD is currently focusing its environmental literacy efforts on three theme areas: Ocean and Bay Science, Watershed Protection and Ecology and Biodiversity Awareness.

The recycling and composting programs are implemented by all of the schools in AUSD and some individual schools are now diverting 80% of their trash. Currently the district has four Green Ribbon schools, ASTI, Bay Farm, Lincoln and recently this year Edison Elementary was given the honor.

I would love for all of our schools to become green ribbon schools and places of stewardship for the environment. I would like there to be more garden programs. Maybe as a district we could seek grants to create a position that would coordinate the garden curriculum and program – right now the programs are led by community volunteers at schools where there are more well-funded PTAs.

Another set of ideas that the district could prioritize are efforts that would reduce its own carbon footprint like switching to solar power, using less waste producing and more technology-based projects and replacing energy-wasting elements in our school with more energy efficient options – like shades, windows and equipment. 

We could even convene an AUSD Green Committee with representatives who worked on the Go Green efforts at the schools and local community organizations like CASA, Food Shift and Blue Endeavors that could advise the administration and the schools on how to reduce their carbon footprints and expand on their environmental learning.

Overall, climate change is real. We need to make sure our students - the future leaders of our city and country - understand that science matters and what it takes to be good stewards of the earth.