by Shane Henson — March 28, 2012—The Alliance to Save Energy’s Green Campus initiative, created to empower college students to be tomorrow’s energy efficiency leaders, has found that students can become quite competitive when it comes to reducing energy.
The Alliance recently held its D.C. Campus Challenge: How Much Can You Power Down? competition, and during the month-long competition, students from the three D.C. universities saved enough energy to power 14 houses for a full year. By reducing energy use in their residence halls through education and outreach to fellow students, they saved over 168,000 kWh of electricity in just four weeks—an average reduction of 7% compared to a year earlier—boasts the Alliance.
Howard University won the competition by reducing overall energy use by 14% in its participating dorms, and thus out-saving fellow competitors at American and George Washington universities.
Howard University’s Green Team led the energy-saving movement, promoting the competition with social media, energy audits in students’ rooms, educational posters and flyers, and by turning off lights in empty hallways and common areas. The team also formed a “study buddy” system, encouraging students to do homework with a partner or in small groups in order to light up fewer dorm rooms.
Howard’s Office of Sustainability Director Alfonzye Chisholm, Jr. said the competition helps further its main objectives. “We entered this competition to establish a ‘greener’ Howard University operation and environment, to help lead the inclusion of minorities in this worldwide initiative, and to help prepare the next leaders in sustainability,” he said. “Winning was a huge statement for all minority institutions.”
George Washington University achieved an 8% reduction in electricity use while raising awareness among students about the competition’s positive impact on the community.
Eco-Reps shared information about energy efficiency on campus and got students’ attention by handing out free cupcakes with their energy-saving tips. They also let other students record their energy-saving ideas on sustainability pledge trees posted on residence hall walls, and marshaled 300 student pledges for a “Turkey Day Shutdown.”
At American University, the Green Eagles spread the word about energy savings, which led to a 3% decrease in electricity use across their residence halls during the competition.
Armed with watt meters and turn-off-the-light stickers, the Green Eagles swapped out inefficient incandescent light bulbs for compact fluorescent lamps. They also helped their peers set energy-efficient power settings on their laptops, urged students to take part in their “Thanksgiving Shutdown,” and collected signatures for a sustainability pledge from 20% of the residential student body.
