ModineActor Matthew Modine started a chat with middle school students at Brooklyn's New Horizons School, MS 442 on Wednesday by turning off the overhead fluorescent lights to reduce energy. “I feel very strongly about empowering individuals to make a measurable, tangible difference to our community,” he said.

Modine was accompanied by several of the city’s sustainability bigwigs, there to demonstrate the city’s support for the students who will help schools save energy by participating in this year’s Green Cup Challenge, an annual, student-led challenge to measure and reduce schools’ energy use. Coordinated by the national non-profit Green Schools Alliance, the GCC’s first electric meter reading is this Friday, Jan.15, after which students will have a month to cut energy use.

At PS 166 in District 3, children are preparing for the Green Cup Challenge by making signs reminding everyone to “turn off the lights” and “power down computers.” A school-wide assembly made the whole school aware of the Challenge. Each classroom has designated two “climate captains” who will ensure that lights are turned off at lunch and recess, windows are closed, and unused appliances unplugged. School custodial staff have also been brought into the loop.<!--more-->

Deputy Director Adam Freed of the Mayor’s Office of Long-term Planning and Sustainability noted that the only way the city is going to achieve its PlaNYC 2030 goal of reducing energy use by 30% is through innovative programs like the Green Cup Challenge. “I hope the resourcefulness and creativity of New York City school kids will generate new ideas that sustainability experts haven’t even thought of,” Freed said.

“The Green Cup Challenge is a tremendous opportunity to raise awareness in school and at home about the importance of energy conservation,” said Green Schools Alliance founder Peg Watson.

MS 442 received $49,000 from the Lowe’s Foundation to build a green roof. Yesterday, students were told that if they had any more great ideas for ways to make their lives greener, Lowe's would help provide the products they needed to get it done. Principal Deanna Diable said “The Green Cup Challenge allows our students to lead the way in our school’s conservation efforts.

What is your school doing to reduce energy use?