New York City public school infrastructure is in crisis. There are over 1,200 public school buildings across New York City (NYC), many of which are on average 75 years old. Decades of disinvestment have left students and teachers in deteriorating environments marked by mold, poor ventilation, failing Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems, and structural vulnerabilities. Students and staff are exposed to these toxins every day, but so are the surrounding communities, due to the multipurpose uses of public school buildings—they serve as emergency shelters and cooling centers during extreme weather, polling sites for elections, and spaces for adult literacy programs and community building.
The Green, Healthy Schools (GHS) initiative, championed by the Climate Works for All coalition, offers a comprehensive solution that provides a win for environmental justice and sustainability, and a path to creating good, green union jobs. Read the full report here
