This week, MetroGreenBusiness speaks to Peter Mott, the "Green Dean" of Ethical Culture Fieldston School. This Bronx preparatory school, in keeping with its progressive values, makes the environment a top priority in its recent construction and renovation.
How was the "greenification" of Ethical Culture Fieldston School born?
Seven years ago, I met with the former head of school, Dr. Joseph Healy, because at the time, ECFS was creating blueprints for new buildings, and I saw this as an opportunity to make the school more environmentally friendly. We agreed that I would devote part of my work hours to caring for the campus grounds and to seeing that the new buildings would be sustainable. I presented him with plans for the undeveloped new buildings, and worked with the Architect Selection Committee to find architects and contractors who were enviro-sensitive. We found the Tishman Construction Company and Cooper Robertson and Partners. Both organizations assured us that they were familiar with the LEED certification process, (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), and so we began construction.
What green technologies and changes have you introduced to ECFS?
Both the heating and electrical systems have features that reduce the amount of energy needed. The new Middle School is 100 percent wind powered. We have waterless urinals, and a "green roof" (a roof covered in plants), the effects of which are being measured and recorded for the future. In a year, we’ll have 15 parking spaces reserved for carpools and approved hybrid cars, to encourage students and faculty to decrease the size of their carbon footprints.
How are these changes protecting the environment?
Our water-saving devices in the new buildings will save more than 250,000 gallons of water a year. Not only will this decrease the water consumption, but it will also reduce the energy wasted in cleaning sewage. By using green power, we have decreased our carbon emissions by more than 50 tons of carbon dioxide per month.
How has the ECFS community been reacting to these changes?
The changes have been met with enthusiasm, and environmental issues have been seeping into the collective consciousness. The curriculum is being adapted accordingly: Eighth grade math students are calculating the run-off from the Middle School building. The math department anticipates including the generated data in a statistics elective. Seniors are proposing further changes to the campus. The other day, a seventh grader came to me after reading the informational posters around the school. He asked me, "How can things that seem so insignificant make such a difference? Are those facts really true?" I told him, "Yes, and that’s not even the half of it."
What is your vision for the future of ECFS's green campus?
Our next step is to make the old facilities more sustainable. I want the school to do more for sustainability than the mayor asks of us for PLANYC, a plan to reduce carbon emissions by 20 percent by 2030. We're a candidate for LEED certification, which would be terrific. We've done a good job on our buildings. Now, we have to work on our students!
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03/14/08 @ 22:05 
