A high school in East Bridgewater, Mass. is offering 20 reserved parking spaces for teachers who drive fuel-efficient cars. The plan is to inspire more teachers to drive “green” cars so that the school can earn a Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design certification through the U.S. Green Building Council.
I don’t think people who drive fuel-efficient cars need any other perks but the right to feel smug driving next to me in my SUV. The reward for being environmentally conscious ought to be the comfortable feeling that comes with knowing you’ve done right by the world. It’s like kids’ sports these days – you get a trophy just for playing whether you won, lost or spent your time on the field picking your nose and watching birds fly overhead – when, in truth, playing the game the trophy. Being part of the team is the trophy.
“We know we can get silver, but we’re going for gold,” said Simon Tempest, project director for the new school, referring to the certification level. “That just means that we have more green features in the building.”
Other green features at the new school include energy-efficient boilers, a water recycling system, and a trash recycling program, Tempest said.
What I think would be a healthy exercise for this school and a whole lot of people out there is to put environmentally-friendly practices in perspective. In general, the best plan is to consume less and pat yourself on the back when you do.
http://www.enterprisenews.com/news/x1372980800/Green-cars-get-prime-parking-spaces-at-East-Bridgewater-Junior-Senior-High-School
