Flick the Switch '08: a competition to promote green living
Jennifer Kennedy
Issue date: 4/1/08 Section: News
Project Green is bringing competition to Saint Mary's campus to encourage sustainable living.
Flick the Switch '08, hosted by Project Green, is an energy conservation competition between the dorms on campus. Each building's energy usage will be monitored; the dorm with the greatest decrease in power usage will win a prize to be announced at tomorrow's barbeque.
"Three million dollars a year is spent on energy, water and gas at Saint Mary's College and [Project Green] wants to bring those costs down so it can be put to better uses," said Project Green member Corey Alling '09.
The kickoff for the competition, hosted by Project Green and Campus Activities Board, will occur during community time tomorrow, April 2, at the BBQ in the quad. Groups such as Habitat for Humanity and St. Luke's Pre-Medical Society will be there to discuss environmental issues. The actual competition will begin April 7 and end on April 21.
Although Project Green is the only on-campus group involved in the project itself, Chevron Energy Solutions has helped provide the funds for the project and will monitor the dorm buildings' energy usage.
Students will be able to check their energy consumption and the amount of money spent at www.gresworld.com/smc.
One of the easiest energy conservation tips is to unplug appliances, such as microwaves and cell phone chargers, when they are not in use. It is also important to turn lights off when they are not needed. In addition, instead of over using heating or cooling systems, students can open windows or put on a sweater.
Project Green Coordinator Christo Raines '08 said, "This is a chance to do something real cool and I think it can make serious change happen. I see a lot of potential for growth for environmental understanding and change."
Today, April 1, Project Green will host a student environmental training in Hagerty Lounge from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Students will be given ideas of how to reduce energy usage on campus, specifically in their dorms.
Alling feels that there is a great need for energy conservation on this campus. "I've been to other college campuses and they are further ahead than we are here as far as getting environmentally sustainable things," he said.
"The damage we have done to the environment is starting to show on a global level," said Alling. He encourages the community to "think globally and act locally."
Flick the Switch '08, hosted by Project Green, is an energy conservation competition between the dorms on campus. Each building's energy usage will be monitored; the dorm with the greatest decrease in power usage will win a prize to be announced at tomorrow's barbeque.
"Three million dollars a year is spent on energy, water and gas at Saint Mary's College and [Project Green] wants to bring those costs down so it can be put to better uses," said Project Green member Corey Alling '09.
The kickoff for the competition, hosted by Project Green and Campus Activities Board, will occur during community time tomorrow, April 2, at the BBQ in the quad. Groups such as Habitat for Humanity and St. Luke's Pre-Medical Society will be there to discuss environmental issues. The actual competition will begin April 7 and end on April 21.
Although Project Green is the only on-campus group involved in the project itself, Chevron Energy Solutions has helped provide the funds for the project and will monitor the dorm buildings' energy usage.
Students will be able to check their energy consumption and the amount of money spent at www.gresworld.com/smc.
One of the easiest energy conservation tips is to unplug appliances, such as microwaves and cell phone chargers, when they are not in use. It is also important to turn lights off when they are not needed. In addition, instead of over using heating or cooling systems, students can open windows or put on a sweater.
Project Green Coordinator Christo Raines '08 said, "This is a chance to do something real cool and I think it can make serious change happen. I see a lot of potential for growth for environmental understanding and change."
Today, April 1, Project Green will host a student environmental training in Hagerty Lounge from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Students will be given ideas of how to reduce energy usage on campus, specifically in their dorms.
Alling feels that there is a great need for energy conservation on this campus. "I've been to other college campuses and they are further ahead than we are here as far as getting environmentally sustainable things," he said.
"The damage we have done to the environment is starting to show on a global level," said Alling. He encourages the community to "think globally and act locally."