Simple Daily Actions
You Can Turn Off Climate Change
Believe it or not, the power is in our hands! Each one of us can make EASY, daily choices that are good for the environment, the people around us and, therefore, ourselves. And together, all of our actions add up! Here are some easy choices you can make everyday to help turn off climate change.
Get a Free SCORE Visit
You can start saving energy today in your house or apartment by getting a FREE SCORE (Student and Community Outreach on Renter Efficiency) visit. Two student techniciance visit your home to install lots of energy-saving things, like CFLs, showerheads, and weatherstripping. Visit our SCORE page to learn more and sign up!
Use CFLs or LEDs
Compact Flourescent Bulbs (CFLs) are up to 70% more energy efficient than old light bulbs. They can last up to 8-10 YEARS! And since they use less energy than your old bulbs, your electricity bill will be lower! They're a "win-win" for you and for the environment. LEDs (Light Emmitting Diodes0 are a little more expensive, but are even more efficient and can last four times as long as CFLs.
Contact us if you are interested in using our LIGHTBOX demonstration to highlight the difference between incandescent bulbs and CFLs. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Turn Off Your Lights
It seems simple, but when you leave a room, simply turn off your lights. It's a habit for most of us to have our lights on- even during daylight hours when they're not necessarily needed!
Report Energy and Water Waste
CALL OUR ENERGY HOTLINE! CU is always looking for ways to improve energy and water efficiency on campus, but we need your help! Help us by being our ears and eyes looking for faucet leaks, lights left on, broken sprinklers, etc. For campus wide suggestions & input to conserve energy and reduce waste, please call the energy conservation hotline
303-735-6202
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
Monitor Your Thermostat
If we monitor the temperature in our homes, it can save a lot of energy. Keep your thermostat set to 65 degrees in the winter and 71 degrees in the summer to make things more efficient and save yourself some cash.
We know it's cold out there, but this is a perfect excuse to pull out that ugly thing your grandma gave you and throw a sweater party!
Recycle
Recycling allows businesses to produce plastic, glass, metal and paper products using material that we've already used. So instead of trashing those things, go ahead and throw them in a recycle bin!
Established in 1976, the University of Colorado’s recycling program, CU Recycling, has become one of the leading campus recycling programs in the country. The program’s mission is to divert recyclables from the waste stream cost-effectively while promoting the benefits ofrecycling and resource conservation and providing opportunities for meaningful student involvement.
Watch Out For Vampires!
...We're not talking about TWILIGHT. When you leave a cell phone or computer charger plugged in, it still pulls out electricity, which is costing you money! Even if you're done charging. Those are called "vampires" but they can easily be avoided by unplugging your chargers- no garlic necessary!Use Public Transportation
Carpooling and taking advantage of CU's bus services cuts way back on CO2 emissions. Plus RTD and CU busses are fare-free for all CU students, staff and faculty. If you're driving to school everyday, consider taking the bus, walking or biking! It's a healthier lifestyle and better for the environment.
RTD for schedule and bus route information
Eat Local Food
Be An Energy Smart Shopper
We are constantly surrounded by messages telling us to buy the newest coolest thing. Before you buy something stop to think about whether or not you really need it. If you do, is it something you could buy used and save some money and energy? If it really is something you need to buy new, use the ClimateCounts.org site to see if the manufacturer is employing sustainable practices.
Take Shorter Showers
Computers
System Standby (sometimes called Sleep) turns the monitor, hard drive, video and sound cards, and almost everything else off. It saves your current state in the RAM., so you won't lose any of your work. Once you decide to use the computer again, simply move the mouse and everything instantly turns back on. This saves substantial amounts of energy. There's a sleep setting on everyone's laptop or desktop. When you're away from your computer for more than a few minutes, go ahead and put it on sleep. Turn your electronics off overnight and when you go on vacation.
Did you know that a screen saver can cost over $100 a year?!
Instead of the flying toasters, have your monitor turn off and save money everyday.
Get Involved
Studies have shown that most Americans are concerned about climate change, but don't know what they can do to solve the problem. Talk to your friend, family, neighbors and anyone that will listen to tell them about how they can contribute to the solution. There are many organizations that help spread the word about climate change and the solutions. Start volunteering with one of these great organizations.
- CU Environmental Center (contatct Susan Beckett, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , 303-492-3229)
- The Center for ReSource Conservation
- Longs Peak Energy Conservation
- Alliance for Climate Education
- CIRES (Cooperative Institue for Research in Environmental Science)
Small actions make a big difference. Pick a couple below to get started.
1. Turn off lights each time you leave the room
2. Use energy efficient light bulbs at home, school and office
3. Take the bus 1 day per week or more instead of taking your car
4. Walk or ride your bike to school or work once per month or more.
5. Join or organize a carpool.
6. Buy a fuel efficient vehicle.
7. Join a car cooperative.
8. Eat meat free meals once a week.
9. Buy local and in season food whenever possible.
10.Ask for local, organic and fair trade food on campus.
11. Use a reusable coffee mug.
12. Bring your own cutlery/chopsticks/cup/tupperware to CU.
13. Just say no to disposable plastic water bottles.
14. Use a stainless steel water bottle.
15. Purchase used furniture, clothing, school supplies and books.
16. Print Double-Sided.
17. Buy 100% recycled paper.
18. Support local businesses and Colorado made products.
19. Buy 100% biodegradable and non-toxic cleaning products and toiletries.
20. Share what you learn with family and friends.
Here are some links you can follow to learn how You Can Turn Off Climate Change.
- What can I do to help prevent Climate Change?
- Save Money on your energy bill.
- Alliance to Save Energy
- Energy Conservation Action Plan