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Make Schools Safer & Healthier

Environmental justice includes a safe and healthy learning environment for every student, in every zip code.
A climate action sign reading, "Time Is Up"

Take Action

Urge your senators and representative to support and cosponsor the Green Ribbon Act (S. 2822/H.R. 5484).

The U.S. Department of Education’s voluntary Green Schools Program recognizes schools, districts, postsecondary institutions, and early learning centers for modernizing learning environments to make them safer and healthier. 

To win a green ribbon, a facility must show progress in all three of these areas: reduced environmental impacts and costs, improved health and wellness, and effective environmental and sustainability education.

Since the inception of the program 12 years ago, about 3,000 schools have directly engaged in such efforts. Twenty-six schools, 11 districts, and 4 postsecondary institutions in 18 states received awards in 2023. 

All our students deserve modernized classrooms with clean air and water, as well as opportunities to study the science—and implications—of climate change for their future jobs, homes, and children. 

The Green Ribbon Act (S. 2822/H.R. 5484) would help make that happen by boosting states’ capacity to encourage participation in the Green Ribbon Schools program.