If you have been following the growing coverage of AI and sustainability, you have probably noticed a familiar pattern. The conversation often lands on guilt and abstinence. People hear about energy-hungry data centers, water use, and emissions. The conversation about AI and sustainability often ends with a simple conclusion: maybe we should just stop using it.

That conclusion feels responsible, but it isn’t strategic.

AI has become foundational to how work gets done, how science advances, and how communities solve problems. Opting out in schools does not reduce society’s demand for AI. It simply leaves students less prepared to participate in a world in which AI is shaping civic life, careers, and problem-solving.

The real issue is not whether we use AI. The issue is whether the AI industry is required to build and power it responsibly.

We have been here before. We did not stop driving cars because of the pollution; we required emissions standards and redesigned engines. When refrigerants harmed the ozone layer, we did not abandon refrigerators, we phased out Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and improved the technology. We did not stop eating packaged food because we lacked information--we required nutrition labels.

Nutrition labels do not require abstinence. These require transparency. Environmental labels can do the same for AI. Rather than opting out, we should demand accountability and redesign.

What Better Can Look Like

Some major companies have set clear sustainability targets. These examples give educators and students something concrete to point to.

• Google’s 24/7 carbon-free energy goal (by 2030)
• Google’s data center sustainability and efficiency work
• Microsoft’s sustainability commitments, including water positive and zero waste goals
• Microsoft’s carbon negative commitment (by 2030)

Examples of AI being used to reduce waste and improve efficiency within infrastructure itself are also available:

• Google DeepMind’s data center cooling work
• GraphCast, an AI model for faster and more accurate global weather forecasting

None of this erases the environmental impact of today’s AI, especially as demand accelerates. What it does show is that companies can be pushed to pair AI innovation with clean energy, water stewardship, and clear reporting.

Students and Staff Have Already Proven They Can Move Systems

Where I work, in New York City, student and staff driven environmental work is not theoretical. It has happened repeatedly with initiatives such as:

• Green Bronx Machine
• Cafeteria Culture’s Foam Trays Removal
• Billion Oyster Project

That same energy can be applied to sustainable AI.

A Strategy for Teaching AI and Sustainability

AI’s environmental impact is real, but product-level data is not surfaced in a simple, student-friendly way. That is what needs to change. We can start by building students’ understanding and then channel that learning into action: defining what transparency should look like.

These ready-made resources can ground students in the tradeoffs of AI and sustainability:

• SubjectToClimate: ELA lesson on generative AI’s energy use
• Share My Lesson: Mapping U.S. data centers and their environmental impact
• Scholastic Upfront: “Power Hungry” lesson plan
• National Science Teaching Association (NSTA): The carbon cost of our clicks

Once students understand the landscape, what could come next is to define what responsible disclosure should look like, and push the market in that direction.

Design an AI Environmental Label

Students already recognize standardized disclosures, such as nutrition labels. Privacy labels and indexes such as those from Common Sense Media, ISTE/ASCD, and Apple show how complex issues like student data practices can be made more transparent.

Pose a Challenge

If food and apps can be labeled, why shouldn’t AI tools have a label disclosing environmental impact?

Students can design a prototype AI Environmental Label that includes:

• Where the tool runs (cloud provider or infrastructure)
• Whether the company publishes sustainability reporting
• Whether there is a renewable or carbon-free energy target
• Whether water use is disclosed
• Date of last environmental update
• Third-party verification (yes or no)

Students can encourage rating platforms to include the environmental standard schools and communities should expect.

The Point

AI has real environmental costs today. Educators should not deny that, but opting out is not a strategy. Leverage is.

Schools and students can vote with their choices by favoring AI providers that publish credible sustainability data and commit to clean energy goals.

The next move should be as normal as nutrition labels: environmental ratings for technology tools. Until that exists, students can help create demand by proposing an AI Environmental Label and using it to push vendors toward cleaner infrastructure and clearer reporting.

This approach addresses AI’s growth responsibly while building students’ literacy, agency, and civic influence.

Mary Decker, Associate Director of Schools for Teaching & Learning, Franklin Special School District, Tennessee 

Franklin Special School District’s overall approach to sustainable technology implementation during the pandemic is an exceptional model because it involves best practices around equity as well as high-quality technology tools and instructional resources. 

The district created a sustainable technology infrastructure that ensured technology access for all students via the device management and refreshes, flexible learning spaces, and robust, scalable networks. Wireless access was made available in all classrooms and Cat6 wire was installed in all school remodels, making every room a potential virtual learning studio. Mary Decker, Associate Director of Schools for Teaching & Learning, coordinated the innovative efforts. 

“I am most proud of our consistent implementation of high-quality instructional materials,” says Decker. “We began the work around HQIM in earnest in 2019 because we believed in the research-based extremely positive impact such resources would have on student learning and on equity. We could never have anticipated just how much HQIM would support that learning during these extraordinarily challenging past two years.”

With the emergence of COVID-19 and extended school closure, technology—including a district-provided device for every student and hotspots for those in need—was instantly deployed via car pickup lines at schools and bus drop-offs to neighborhoods. When the 2020-21 school year began, the district embarked on another new frontier by offering parents the choice of virtual or in-person learning. For virtual learners, an education equal to that of in-person students was imperative. 

“So soon after the extended closure of spring 2019, not all parents were ready to send their child back to a school building. At that point in time, there was great uncertainty and to a certain extent, fear,” says Decker. “It was very important to us to effectively meet the needs of every student and family, whether those needs were related to physical or emotional health, or both. We already had our HQIM in place, all with digital components. Virtual students had access to all of these resources along with the use of Google Classroom and Zoom.”

Nominate someone for the Tech & Learning Innovative Leader Award here

Supporting Teachers to Support Students 

Decker and her team also ensured teachers charged with running the virtual classrooms had every tool necessary to stay on track with their in-classroom counterparts.

“Virtual teachers were provided ongoing professional learning and collaboration opportunities, with targeted support from district administrators,” says Decker. “They used district-created pacing guides to maintain the same scope and sequence as in-person teachers. They were also provided with their choice of technology tools including a headset, document camera, ring light, or second monitor. In the elementary grade levels, virtual teachers taught only virtual students.”

Focusing on the Big Goal 

At FSSD, each pupil in the district uses the same tech. 

“Years of focus on the implementation of and support for high-quality instructional resources and technology developed a laser-like focus on one question: What is best for students?” says Decker. “The invaluable nature of these strategies encompasses lessons learned that will inform future innovation. We are so proud of our incredible teachers, staff, administrators, board, families, and of course, students. Even throughout the most unusual and difficult of times, everyone banded together and never lost sight of our absolute priority: Doing what is best for students.”

Exciting Things in the Wings 

After accomplishing so much under such trying circumstances, Decker doesn’t miss a beat in reaching higher for the future.

Decker says, “Dream plans to which I aspire include increasing all students’ proficiency and growth in math and ELA on the state assessment every year, with specific attention to our English Learners and students with disabilities, advancing our work around student advocacy so that every student is well-served in this regard, and ensuring that each student and staff member feels a sense of belonging in our district.”

• Tech & Learning Innovative Leader Awards

Creating a sustainable classroom is certainly a worthy goal. Students are onboard, and tech is ready to help. Here are a few ways to project a greener future for your school.

Make Every Day a Green Day

When it comes to affecting real change toward creating a greener and more sustainable classroom, everyday habits are the first place to start. To encourage student buy-in, carve out time for a brainstorming session on small ways they can contribute to such an important goal. Could they dress in layers to give classroom thermostats (and therefore energy resources) a break? Could the blinds be lifted to save on use of lights? Could digital classroom tools like projectors and smart-boards help cut back on paper, dry erase and chalk use? Reusable lunchbox and snack items could help with waste, could students take ownership of filling and cleaning so busy parents don’t need to rely on convenient single-use options? Invite students into the discussion for creative solutions and greater engagement.

Show and Tell

As in most areas of education, the most impactful way to teach your students is leading by example. Try not only practicing these greener ways of teaching and managing your classroom, but verbalizing your intent as you do so to bring greater awareness in those young, impressionable minds.

The Writing Projected on the Wall

Despite the best day-to-day classroom practices, some schools overlook a serious contributor to the eco-issue: outdated tech. The AV realm has made great strides to design alternatives to mercury-laden lamps and projectors that waste energy with lengthy warm up and cool down periods. It can be challenging to tell which tech is truly progressive when it come to these matters and which options are merely green-washed with misleading marketing. Luckily, TCO Certified, an objective third party nonprofit has created a cheat sheet to help admin and purchasers buy smart and reduce their carbon footprint.

The TCO Certified’s new Generation Eight Seal certifies IT products with sustainability, accountability and transparency throughout their entire life cycle— from the production of raw materials to the production conditions, long service life to safe disposal. The latest list also incorporates energy efficiency in the manufacturing phase, as well as evidence that the minerals used are from socially responsible sources. One of the first to earn the seal is Casio’s Advanced series and the entire new Superior series (featuring a mercury-free Laser/LED light source), while a number of Epson models also got the nod.

“Sustainability has been a focus in the production of our projectors for over 10 years,” said Joe Gillio, Senior Director Strategic Planning and Marketing, of Casio’s Business Projector Division. “Schools and companies in the United States are looking for products that help them with their Green initiatives, and TCO Certified projectors like ours do just that.”

This article has been sponsored by Casio America.

Casio America, Inc. announces its Advanced and Superior LampFree projectors have obtained the new sustainability seal in their product line. 

The TCO Certified, generation 8 seal certifies IT products with sustainability, accountability and transparency throughout their entire life cycle. The internationally recognized certificate for sustainable IT is reviewed every three years. The new version, generation 8 of the seal, was published in 2019. For the first time, it considers whether companies have a management system in place for preventing and responding to corruption. Energy efficiency in the manufacturing phase is also incorporated into the certificate for the first time. Other test criteria have been reviewed in the new version of the TCO Certified seal – for example, evidence that the minerals used are from socially responsible sources.

“Sustainability has been a focus for Casio in the production of our projectors for over 10 years,” said Joe Gillio, Senior Director Strategic Planning and Marketing, of Casio’s Business Projector Division. “Schools and companies in the United States are looking for products that help them with their Green initiatives, and TCO Certified projectors like ours do just that.” 

For more information on Casio’s full portfolio of LampFree Projectors, visit www.CasioLampFree.com.

Casio WXGA Ultra Short Throw Projector

XJ-UT351WN

http://www.casioprojector.com/products/Ultra_Short_Throw/XJ-UT351WN

This lamp-free Ultra Short Throw not only got the nod as an ISTE Best of Show winner, but earned a spot on the official TCO Certification list. A built-in speaker offers convenience and 3500 Lumens of clear, bright picture is not affected by classrooms with ambient light. Its generous set of connections and wifi capabilities ease the way for collaboration and a variety of media uses.

Epson Laser Ultra Short Throw Wireless Interactive 3LCD Projector

EB-1470Ui

https://www.epson.com.sg/Projectors/Short-Throw-Ultra-short-Throw/Epson-EB-1470Ui-Laser-Ultra-Short-Throw-Wireless-Interactive-WUXGA-3LCD-Projector/p/V11H876052#IczePmKl3XeJfJ1C.97

Collaborate and share lessons while turning any surface into an interactive area with this TCO Certified projector, featuring finger touch and PC-free annotation.

NEC Ultra Short Throw Projector

UM351W

https://www.nec-display.com/ap/en_projector/um351w/index.html

Able to project a large screen of 100 inches at a distance of only 77.6 cm, this tech ensures shadows do not easily form even when someone stands in front of the projector. Ceiling or wall installation makes this a good option for classrooms or small meeting areas.

When it comes to buying AV tech, the myriad options can make the task daunting. So many factors affect final decisions — budget constraints, physical space needs, flexibility to benefit the highest number of students, ease of use and maintenance, just to name a few. Unfortunately, IT products like projectors and displays are particularly vulnerable to sustainability challenges that are even more difficult for the average school board or buyer to assess. Human rights violations are common in the factories, and hazardous substances are often used both in products and their manufacture.

Clearly, no school would knowingly support or condone such practices. But on top of all the aspects to research, how can educators ensure they are not only opting for eco-responsible products, but truly sustainable tech? TCO, a non-profit based in Sweden has spent the past 25 years making it easier to do just that.

The science-based criteria for projectors and displays to become TCO Certified are designed to drive social and environmental sustainability throughout the product’s entire life cycle. This bigger picture awareness and message is often taught in our classrooms — now administrators and decision makers can follow through by making informed decisions. (A new generation of TCO Certified product lists are released every three years to stay current with the latest technology developments.)

TCO doesn’t solely focus on sustainability when it comes to their projector and display picks. Great quality is a baseline standard for inclusion. This can also translate to savings. Products can often have a shorter life span because of poor ergonomics, low quality and when they are not able to be repaired or upgraded.

Specific TCO quality criteria for displays and projectors:

• Visual ergonomics (image quality, including optimal image size)
• Product adjustability for displays (vertical tilt, height)
• Video, computer interface for projectors
• Acoustic noise limits

More than 2,800 IT products from 20 brands are currently certified, with a convenient online Product Finder offering easy access for purchasers to peruse. Popular brands leading the projector list include Casio and Epson. Lenovo, NEC, Philips, HP and ASUS offer TCO Certified display options.

One requirement for projector TCO certification is for the product to offer excellent image quality up to a specific maximum projected image size. The product also requires an Eco Mode — this means that the projector can be set to a lower light intensity, which reduces the energy consumption and noise level and increases the lifespan of the lamp. The projector, including all of its components and subcomponents, must be free of mercury and other harmful substances.

“We are proud that our projectors and light sources do not contain any mercury,” says Toshiyuki Iguchi, Executive Officer, Casio Computer Co., Ltd. Of the TCO-awarded tech. “As a leading manufacturer of projectors with laser and LED hybrid light sources, we are conscious of our responsibility to reduce our environmental impact, which is why we avoid mercury in our products and are reducing our power consumption and CO2 emissions.”

Tech purchase decisions of any scale are complicated and must include consideration of many aspects, including sustainability. In short, this is one cheat sheet is one any teacher could get behind.

The projector is such a vital piece of hardware that it’s difficult to imagine a classroom without one. And in recent years, projector technology has significantly improved with lamp-free models that extend product life and require minimal, if any, maintenance. At the same time, flat panel TVs have become more available as a choice for school projection needs.

Although cost is certainly an important decision factor, other critical factors include:

· Creating a learning culture of collaboration and innovation

· Degree of interactivity of flat panels and projectors

· Defining the acceptable viewing range

· Impact on student learning

· Total cost of ownership (TCO)

There may be some situations where a flat panel makes sense, such as working with small groups of students in learning stations. However, flat panel displays have a fixed size that can be a serious issue in larger classrooms when viewing text and numbers on spreadsheets. In larger classrooms, it would be difficult for students in the back of the class to view the screen in sufficient detail to accomplish the lesson goals.

After the aggravation and costs of replacing lamps and filters on older projectors, many schools and districts may consider flat panels, but the new solid state (Laser and LED) projectors are still more cost-effective when compared to flat panels. Both the newer projectors and flat panels have minimal maintenance costs, but flat panels have a higher TCO due to the initial purchase price.

When thinking about the kinds of interactive, collaborative environment schools want to establish with their projection requirements, the flat panel has limitations. It is two-dimensional whereas one or more projectors can be used to create a 3-D environment, which can illustrate concepts such as the solar system or the inner workings of the heart in a way that immerses students into the lesson not possible before.

Another benefit to using laser or LED projectors is that it is “green” technology and decreases a school or district’s carbon footprint. The projectors use 30% less electricity than older projectors, eliminate mercury, and reduce Coemissions with lower power needs. With an estimated 20,000 hours of operation, projectors may have a longer life span than flat panels and eliminate additional lamp and filter costs.

While schools might opt for an occasional flat panel, most schools will find laser or LED projectors a better option when considering flexibility of use and TCO. Although both new projectors and flat panels have minimal ongoing maintenance costs—the projectors’ initial cost is far less than that of flat panels making them a better financial choice, with the added benefit of promoting sustainable, green technology.

To learn more about projection options, there are links below to additional resources that can be helpful as leaders make this technology decision for their own school and districts.

WEBINAR—Join our panel as two technology directors in Alabama and Illinois share how their schools are using projection technology to create more engaging learning environments for their students. Click here to read more.

CASE STUDY – In Poway United School District outside San Diego (CA), district leaders saved so much money by replacing their aging projectors with new lampfree projectors that they were able to divert funds to their highly innovative initiative to bring more personalized instruction to their students. Click here to read more.

SUSTAINABLE TECHNOLOGY – Looking for a quick brief to understand how laser and LED projectors are changing the projector marketplace? Check it out here.