School buildings are actually the third biggest energy users of any of the commercial building types. They account for 10% of the energy that is used by non-residential buildings. The numbers are quite shocking. Every year, in the K-12 school systems, they spend $8 billion on energy and universities spend $6 billion on energy.

When students know more about energy conservation, they can take this into their own hands and feel more responsible for their schools and their energy saving plans. Learn about the Alliance’s Energy 2030 Plan that calls for increased energy productivity. It allows students to learn on their own how to be more productive with energy. As anyone in the educational world can explain, school is not just a time to sit at your school desks and get your work done. It’s also a time for exploration and learning of other sorts.

As their website explains, “The Alliance’s K-12 and higher education programs empower students to change the culture of their academic environment to one that embraces energy efficiency. Students lead no-cost behavior changes, building retrofits, events on green careers, and other initiatives that save energy within and beyond their school building. They also contribute to integrated demand side management where applicable. When students are literate in energy efficiency, they become the next generation energy efficiency leaders – not only in their schools, but also in their homes and communities.”