News Release

For immediate release
June 27, 2007

PROVINCE GREENING ONTARIO SCHOOLS
Renewable Energy Pilot Projects Latest Initiative To Strengthen Student’s Environmental Awareness

TORONTO — Two renewable energy pilot projects and a study of energy efficiency will lead to greener schools across the province, Education Minister Kathleen Wynne and Environment Minister Laurel Broten announced today. 

“Making schools greener is one way to get students involved in changing the world and contributing to a cleaner, greener planet,” said Wynne. “We are also empowering students to fight climate change by putting environmental education back in the curriculum and supporting the EcoSchools program.”

The province is investing $250,000 to help the Toronto District School Board study how schools can reduce their carbon footprint and become more energy self-sufficient. Two schools – William Lyon Mackenzie Collegiate Institute and Hillcrest Junior Public School – will establish renewable energy projects (i.e., solar and wind), that will be completed by next year and will serve as models for other school boards across the province.

A small secondary school uses on average 235,000 kilowatt hours (kWh) annually — the equivalent of 268 100-watt light bulbs shining brightly for a full year.

“Our next generation of community leaders and global citizens must have a strong understanding of the environment, climate change and the importance of conservation,” said Broten. “Students are demanding more knowledge, better alternatives and real solutions to reduce their environmental footprint. What’s exciting about this initiative is that every project will become part of the school's environment curriculum, serving as a teaching tool and a constant reminder to students of their ability to make a difference in cleaning up Ontario’s air and fighting climate change.”

The McGuinty government is also partnering with the Tides Canada Foundation to distribute copies of the Academy Award winning documentary An Inconvenient Truth to Ontario school boards and high schools. Tides is Canada's first and only national public foundation focused on the environment, social justice, and innovation in the non-profit sector.

“The debate over the science of climate change is over,” said Tim Draimin, Executive Director of Tides Canada Foundation.  “We need to focus on innovative ways to respond to the global warming challenge. An Inconvenient Truth helps all viewers - students, teachers, and parents - think about the long-term implications of our lifestyles and what we need to do to build a sustainable Canada.”

This announcement is just one more example of how the McGuinty government is working with education and community partners to transform the way environmental education is being taught across the province -- and inspire students to fight climate change and become environmentally responsible citizens. Other recent initiatives include:

• Supporting an expansion of the EcoSchools program.
• Launching two websites — www.obviously.ca for secondary students and www.ontario.ca/ezone for elementary students — that explain the challenges facing our planet and how to take action to protect the environment.
• Holding a Clean Air and Climate Change artwork and essay contest for students that received almost 3,500 submissions.
• Implementing all of the recommendations of the Curriculum Council to give students more environmental knowledge and give teachers the resources to build that knowledge
• Establishing environmental education standards to be applied to current and future reviews of curriculum.

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For further information:
John Steele, (416) 314-6666 Communications Branch	Sandra Watts, (416) 314-6739 Minister’s Office
Contact information for the general public: 416-325-4000 or 1-800-565-4923/ www.ene.gov.on.ca

 

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