Earth Day Network Applauds Obama’s Green Schools Proclamation and Calls upon Congress and the Administration to Fund Environmental Education

For Immediate Release: April 20, 2012 Contact: Sean Miller, 202-425-2836, [email protected]

Earth Day Network Applauds Obama’s Green Schools Proclamation and Calls upon Congress and the Administration to Fund Environmental Education Statement of Earth Day Network

Earth Day Network applauds President Barack Obama’s decision to issue a Presidential Proclamation for the 42nd anniversary of Earth Day lauding the Department of Education’s new Green Ribbon Schools program. We believe, as does the Administration, that green schools provide a solid educational and environmental foundation for our nation’s schoolchildren. For more than seven years, Earth Day Network has been a national leader in the burgeoning movement to green America’s schools and played an instrumental role in creating the Department of Education’s Green Ribbon Schools program. This initiative is not only the first comprehensive green schools program at the federal level, it is a galvanizing force for schools seeking to save money, improve student and staff health, and reduce pollution. Yet, the Obama Administration’s FY13 budget is at odds with its commitment to green schools and environmental education. Only a few weeks ago, President Obama’s budget proposal to Congress recommended eliminating nearly $40 million for environmental education programs at the EPA, NOAA and NSF. These proposed cuts – the equivalent to one-fourth of the cost of one F-22 fighter jet – would cripple local and national environmental education programs across the country. America’s students deserve the knowledge and skills necessary to thrive in today’s competitive world. Environmental education and green schools play a critical role in advancing America’s competitiveness in an increasingly complex and challenging world. As a result, we call upon the Administration and Congress to fully fund environmental education at the federal level.

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Earth Day Network mobilizes over one billion people in 192 countries through year-round advocacy, education, public policy and consumer campaigns to protect the environment. archiveedn.wpengine.com