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education*energy*environment
archivesCalculate Your School’s Ecological Footprint
The Calgary Board of Education is extremely proud to be launching the Eco-Footprint Calculator at seven pilot schools this fall. The Eco-Footprint Calculator is an exciting, learning tool that can be used to estimate the carbon and ecological footprint of your school. Calculating your school’s ecological footprint is a great way to increase environmental awareness at your school, not only for students, but for the staff and parents as well. The calculator was developed specifically for Calgary schools using local parameters and is the first of its kind in North America. The calculator is designed to capture the energy, material and waste streams associated with the operation of a school in the course of a one-year period. While designed primarily as a learning tool, some schools may choose to use the calculator to inform future sustainability goals. To support this action, the Calgary Board of Education is launching its EcoSites initiative in unison with the calculator. EcoSites is an environmental management, learning and recognition initiative that seeks strengthen environmental and literacy and stewardship within the CBE. Once your school has determined its footprint, EcoSites provides an excellent stepping-off point to support meaningful environmental action and change within your school. Facility retrofits are one way of doing this; for example using more efficient light bulbs or installing low flow faucets and toilets. Another way to make the school more sustainable is to initiate more environmentally friendly practices amongst the school population. Beginning a recycling, litterless lunch or composting program can significantly decrease the amount of waste generated by your school, and therefore decrease its impact. If your school is interested in using the Eco-Footprint Calculator please contact the CBE EcoTeam at ecoteam@cbe.ab.ca.
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