Global Green USA, a national environmental organization that merges research, cutting-edge community based projects and targeted advocacy to create a sustainable future, recently celebrated the expansion of its green rebuilding initiatives in the New Orleans neighborhood, Holy Cross.

Their New Orleans green schools initiative will benefit thousands of students and teachers by providing technical assistance and resources to local schools.  The goal of the high performance schools initiative is to create healthier classrooms and more energy efficient schools that in turn improve student performance and save money for school districts, while helping protect the environment and reducing global warming. The initiative has been made possible by a grant from the Bush Clinton Katrina Fund.
 
“Across the country we have seen high performance schools create a better learning environment for students and reduce energy and water costs by 20% to 40%,” said Matt Petersen, president and CEO of Global Green USA.  “Test scores improve by 20% to 22% in green schools, and can lead to fewer absences due to improved indoor air quality.”
The initiative will begin with the selection of five schools to be designated as “Green Seed Schools” that will receive assistance and resources to improve energy and water efficiency, improve IAQ, and if feasible, on-site renewable energy generation. The five schools will receive technical assistance, training, informational materials, general oversight assistance in implementing the program, and up to $75,000 in grant funds toward specific improvements.