At its 75th annual meeting in Los Angeles, the 1,100-member U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCM) unanimously voted for a green schools resolution. Conceived by Mayor T.M. Franklin Cownie of Des Moines and co-sponsored by 16 additional mayors, the resolution is a plea to Congress for more funding for K-12 green school demonstration projects and research.

The USCM believes a better understanding of the environmental, economic, and health benefits of green schools is a step towards meeting the "urgent need for healthier and more productive places of learning."

"Studies show that children in green schools are healthier and more productive because of improved indoor air quality, lower levels of chemical emissions and a generous provision of natural day lighting," says Mayor Cownie. "The benefit of cleaner indoor air quality--a key emphasis of green schools--have been linked to lower asthma rates, fewer allergies, reduced absenteeism, and increased teacher retention rates."

The U.S. School system serves some 55 million students and 5 million faculty and staff. More than 300 schools have received or will receive LEED certification from the U.S. Green Building Council, thanks to increased awareness of environmentally-friendly design.

A a recent study by Capital E reports green schools save money: Although a school must absorb a two percent increase in cost, it also cuts $100,000 per year from the energy bill, an amount equal to approximately two new teachers, 500 new computers, or 5,000 new textbooks.