The Benefits of Green School Renovations for Both the Environment and Student Health
Over the last century, human activity has negatively impacted the planet. It has led to the pollution of the environment and the extinction of animals and plants. As such, there is a collective effort by people globally to mitigate the effects of global warming by minimizing emissions and generating sustainable solutions. All aspects of human endeavors actively participate in environmental conservation through sustainable solutions.
In line with this effort, the education sector is contributing to developing sustainable, planet-friendly solutions. Newly constructed schools are based on methods that minimize pollution and promote energy efficiency. Similarly, renovations are made to such institutions to ensure sustainability. For this reason and more, this article presents the benefits of green school renovations for the environment and student health. In addition, it highlights what green school renovation is all about.
Photo by Kyo Azuma
About Green School Renovations
As a makeover, green school renovation refers to the remodeling of a school building and its environment through the use of technologies and features that promote sustainability and minimize the impact on the planet. In general, institutions actively consider renovating their facilities to not only support the environment but to protect the health of students and their teachers.
There are several components of a school environment that requires renovation. Some of these elements include heating system, ventilation, water system and lightning. All these systems can be replaced with modern efficient alternatives that minimize energy use. Also, a school can generate clean energy through the installation of wind turbines and solar panels. Overall, these systems and more can help reduce the energy consumption and carbon footprint of an institution. Similarly, students can reduce their assignment research time by leveraging the content offered by the custom essay support platform. Furthermore, this website gives learners access to essays on a wide range of topics.
Green School Renovation Environmental Benefits
As awareness increases, more people understand the environmental advantages associated with green school restorations. As such, many schools and institutions are taking steps to remodel their buildings to mitigate the issues of global warming. Below are some notable benefits to consider.
1. Increases in Renewable Energy Use
Most schools are consumers of energy. However, the development of improved renewable energy sources has made these institutions energy generators. As such, a typical school after green renovation can generate power from wind turbines, solar panels, geothermal systems, and similar technologies. In turn, this reduces the burden on the electricity grid, which has a net positive effect on the environment. On the other hand, the introduction of these systems reduces the energy consumption of the school in the long run. Furthermore, increasing renewable energy use can have a positive impact on the architectural design on learning outcomes. Also, well-thought learning spaces can foster critical thinking.
2. Improves Energy Efficiency
An educational institution that undergoes green renovation should have all its old electrical and electronic devices retrofitted. When this happens, the amount of energy the new fittings and appliances consume is much lower than the old ones. Therefore, the school's energy efficiency significantly reduces, which minimizes the cost of energy for the institutions. Likewise, it reduces the amount of energy needed from the electricity grid, which ultimately reduces the amount of fossil fuel burnt to produce energy.
In general, improving the energy efficiency of a building is achieved by upgrading the lighting system of the facility, which can consume as much as 75% of total consumption. To minimize energy use, energy-efficient LED lighting can be installed in place of CFL lamps. On the other hand, smart thermostats can help reduce the energy used for heating.
3. Improves Waste Management
Another way of saving the environment involves waste management. To improve waste reduction, a school will typically use biodegradable materials, compost, and recycle systems that ensure the reuse of materials. When waste management is properly implemented, it will minimize the waste that goes to landfills, which will have a positive impact on the immediate environment.
4. Encourages Water Conservation
An essential aspect of green school renovation involves water conservation. The ability to reduce water use in schools can go a long way in reducing the energy required to treat and purify water for domestic use. To achieve this, many schools implement water-efficient landscapes, low-flow faucets, and rainwater harvesting schemes within their buildings. In general, rainwater can easily be channeled from rooftops to storage systems, which can feed toilets, irrigation systems, and more. Effective implementation of these schemes can cut water use to around 60%. Likewise, this reduction can minimize pollution from school water waste.
Green School Renovation Student Benefits
As shown above, green school renovations have several benefits for the environment. That said, schools and other institutions usually need some aid with renovations. CADdetails.com is an excellent tool for accessing thousands of free CAD drawings, BIM models, and production specifications for projects involving water conservation. This tool gives users access to designs and other essential models for education and professional use.
These makeovers are beneficial to students. Below are some of the key benefits to consider.
1. Enhances Physical Activities
Physical activities are essential for students, especially children and young adults. Well-planned green school makeovers significantly encourage physical activities as they provide dynamic recreational and outdoor facilities for students to use. Some of the more common features that promote physical activities include walking trails, green spaces, and outdoor classrooms. In particular, many schools within the UK and Canada are implementing these systems to improve the physical health of their students.
2. Improves Air Quality
The quality of air people breathe is crucial, especially in educational spaces where students spend hours indoors. In general, cleaning products, building materials, and similar products may give off toxins that can affect air quality in classes and lecture halls. Furthermore, extended exposure to these harmful chemicals may harm the learners' health by propagating several respiratory illnesses. As such, the implementation of green school renovations minimizes the presence of toxins through the use of less harmful materials. In addition, architects and builders can improve the ventilation system of the school, thereby increasing the circulation of clean air.
3. Minimize Anxiety and Stress
Schooling can be a stressful experience, especially for students in colleges and universities. It can become more challenging for learners when exposed to harmful elements in building materials and human waste. However, exposure to the environment and other natural elements may produce a positive response from students, which promotes mental health by minimizing anxiety. As such, many schools are implementing green renovation systems that include natural light, rooftop gardens, and living walls. Many of these elements can reduce stress and improve the overall mental health of learners.
4. Improves Learning Environments
The learning environment is the most crucial aspect of any school. As such, every school should take active steps to improve the condition of their facilities. With green school makeovers, welcoming and comfortable spaces are incorporated into buildings to improve the learning environment and overall experience. Doing this enhances room temperatures, air quality, and natural light admittance. By extension, improving the learning environment for a student enhances concentration, retention, and participation.
Green School Renovations Success Stories
All around the world, several schools have implemented green renovations to contribute their part in conserving the environment. Below are examples of some green school renovation success stories.
In 2016, King Abdullah Academy in Virginia conducted its green renovation. This institution renovated many of its facilities, which included cooling and heating systems. In addition, it installed solar panels, geothermal heating schemes, and rainwater harvesters. In addition, this school retrofitted all its lights to LED lights, which minimizes energy requirements.
Another private school that prioritizes sustainable remodeling is The Green School. Located in Bali, Indonesia, this institution has always had environmental friendliness and sustainability as part of its core principles since its creation. Therefore, green energy solutions were incorporated into the construction of the facility right from conception. Established in 2008, The Green School was made entirely with bamboo. In addition, it was built with compositing toilets, rainwater harvesters, and solar panels to reduce waste and conserve energy. Beyond these measures, this institution has a self-sufficient and sustainable garden that teaches students about food production using sustainable agricultural techniques. Since its creation, this school has paved the way for the development of facilities with similar sustainable systems.
Although many of these renovations may be expensive, the long-term benefits are undeniable. Furthermore, these examples serve as living proof that sustainable renovation of schools is achievable and pays out after a few years. Ultimately, incorporating green solutions into educational institutions can help slow down the negative impact of climate change.
Verdict
Any school that undergoes green renovations will witness several benefits. The two primary benefits improve the health of students and the environment. This remodeling usually includes the installation of solar panels, rainwater harvesters, and low-flow toilets. In addition, it involves retrofitting lighting systems to more efficient LED lamps that consume less energy.
Author Bio: As a blogger, Jodi Williams regularly writes content for students and educators. She develops articles on various topics but primarily focuses on education. Furthermore, Jodi is passionate about the environment and likes working at the intersection of her favorite fields.
Cover image by Brian Lundquist on Unsplash
