April 24, 2007

Students Get "A" In Conservation

MARTIN SCHWALBE

Undergraduate students at the University of Guelph were recognized for their initiative to improve energy efficiency on campus. The students were presented with a Certificate of Recognition by Peter Love, Ontario’s Chief Energy Conservation Officer, for the results of a student referendum in which undergraduates would commit more than $4.3 million over 12 years for energy conservation. The money will be used for projects ranging from lighting and heating to water efficiency to retrofitting. The university is matching the money raised, earmarking all of the funds for energy conservation. It has already made progress in reducing energy consumption using energy retrofit programs and educational programming. The university is also teaming up with Zerofootprint to launch an initiative to measure the “ecological footprint” of every member of the university community. It will involve a web-based calculator that people can use to estimate and analyze the impact daily activities have on the environment. L-r: Deborah Kaplan of Zerofootprint; student Adam Scott; student Derek Pieper; Alastair Summer, U of G president; Peter Love, Ontario’s Chief Energy Conservation Officer.

Print | Email | Comment