Energy and Community

Hello everyone, here's the news from Luther College.

 

Friday was the end of the Energy Evolution. This is a campus-wide event that lasts for a few weeks and promotes energy awareness and conservation. There were all sorts of events, from blackout movie screenings to energy audits of rooms, as well as contests with great prizes for those dorms and floors that showed great initiative in conserving energy. Larsen hall, the dorm in which I live, managed to reduce energy consumption by 14% during the Energy Evolution month. Some halls did even better. 

 

It seems as though there has been a shift, and it is most noticeable in the college-aged generation of today. There is such a drive for people to take action in order to understand and combat the negative effects of over consumption, dirty energy (coal, oil, etc.), and the lifestyles many of us lead that are hardly sustainable. It is a beautiful thing to see; heaps of college students running around campus, turning off lights and promoting wise use of electricity. This sense of energy awareness is definitely a large part of Luther's community and set of ethics. Not only is it present in the students, but large steps have been made to reduce the tremendous carbon footprint that a college community of this size leaves. From upgrading old architecture and energy systems and green building techniques to exploring the possibilities of wind power and biomass heating; Luther is doing its part to manage its emissions and sending a positive message about sustainability and possibility.

 

We learn from events such as Energy Evolution that each individual plays a part in the larger picture. We all must make some contribution to work towards a sustainable future. Change out those incandescent light bulbs, take shorter showers, buy second-hand items. It is not difficult, but it does require a conscious effort. It's up to you.

 

I hope everyone is well. All comments or questions are welcome. If you want me to write on a specific topic, or want to know more about something I have already written, don't be shy. I would love to hear from you.

 

Peace,

Collin