Public Schools Account for a Third of NYC's Building Pollution. What Would It Take to Go Green?

"Public school buildings, many of which are an average of 75 years old, are deteriorating facilities that grapple with mold, leaks, asbestos, antiquated heating and cooling systems and poor ventilation, according to a new report launched Wednesday by ALIGN. The report says the Big Apple's public schools have become unhealthy, climate-polluting environments, and urges the city to invest $2.2 billion over the next five years to create a cleaner and greener future for its students."

"Buildings are responsible for nearly 70 percent of all the climate change-inducing greenhouse gasses emitted in New York City and public school buildings generate one third of that pollution, according to the report. Plus 9.5 percent of the city's school buildings are located in a 100-year floodplain, or areas that face a 1 percent annual risk of flooding due to coastal storms. As climate change accelerates and flash floods and coastal storms become more severe, that number will increase to almost 12 percent by 2050."

New York City public school buildings average about 75 years old and face widespread deterioration, including mold, leaks, asbestos, antiquated heating and cooling systems, and inadequate ventilation. Approximately 1.1 million students attend 1,800 schools with these issues. Public school facilities produce a significant share of the city's building-related greenhouse gas emissions, and nearly 9.5 percent of school buildings lie in a 100-year floodplain, a share projected to rise to almost 12 percent by 2050. A proposed $2.2 billion investment over five years would replace HVAC systems, insulate classrooms, install new windows and roofs suitable for solar, and upgrade ventilation to improve health and reduce emissions.

Read at City Limits