New Delhi: While climate action is often debated in the halls of governments and universities, some of the most impactful work begins in neighborhood classrooms.
At the 9th NYC Green School Conference 2025, the session “Green Schools – From Local Roots to Global Impact” will spotlight schools that are proving how grassroots education can inspire worldwide change.
On September 23, educators and leaders from The Green School Bangalore, PS 58 Brooklyn, and Project Green Schools (Boston) will present their stories of transforming learning environments into hubs of climate consciousness.
Their approaches—ranging from net-zero energy buildings and water conservation projects to curriculum-integrated sustainability—demonstrate how even small-scale initiatives can ripple outward into global influence.
Speakers like Usha Iyer from The Green School Bangalore and Adelina Tripoli of PS 58 Brooklyn will share how culture and community values shape their schools’ climate models.
They will also highlight the power of student activism, with children taking the lead in composting drives, awareness campaigns, and tree plantation initiatives that extend learning beyond classrooms.
UNESCO and international education networks are co-hosting the discussion to emphasize replication: how local solutions can serve as blueprints for schools worldwide. By aligning culturally rooted practices with global frameworks such as the SDGs, these green schools showcase a powerful bottom-up model of transformation.
The session is expected to challenge policymakers and educators alike to reimagine what schools can achieve. “Every school can be a green school,” the organizers note, framing education as a frontline defense against climate change.
As Climate Week NYC coincides with UNGA’s global deliberations, this session will underscore that meaningful climate action begins early—in childhood classrooms, in community gardens, and in local projects that nurture the next generation of climate-conscious citizens.
