Chennai: School children in India, like their counterparts in the US, should show greater interest in the environment and look at ways to "reduce, reuse and recycle" in their everyday lives, a senior US diplomat said here today.
"Green buildings represent the promise of a green economy. In the US, schools are leading the way in this move towards more green buildings", US Consul General here Jennifer Mcintyre said delivering a special address at the Young Indians (YI) Chenai Green Heritage Project Finale.
She said Redmond High School near Seattle set out to measure their school`s carbon footprint a few years ago by looking into its electricity and water consumption and the waste produced.
"Today, this school is saving some 30,000 USD in annual electricity costs, compared with power costs a few years earlier. Waste costs have dropped by 10,000 USD. Carbon dioxide emissions, meanwhile, are down by 200,000 pounds annually", she said.
Noting that US was involved in the Sohrabji Green Business Centre (GBC) in Hyderabad, she said it was truly remarkble that GBC has spurred an active Green Building movement throughout the country.
"All over India new business are being drawn to the concepts of environmentally friendly architecture and construction", the diplomat said.
PTI
