The University of Minnesota unveiled a plan Thursday to reduce its overall energy consumption by 5 percent by the end of next year. They kicked off the program as part of “Beautiful U Day.”
If the university reaches its conservation goal, it has estimated it could trim $2.25 million from its energy bill annually. That translates into a reduction of carbon dioxide emissions from the university’s campuses of 25,000 tons a year.
During Thursday’s event, students, faculty members and staffers were asked to sign what the university calls its Energy Conservation Pledge. It reads, in part, “While my individual steps appear small, I understand that It All Adds Up. Working together, we can make huge leaps in reducing emissions, cutting electrical usage and saving university resources.”
The university’s suggestions for conserving energy include turning off computers at night; turning off lights when out of the room for more than 10 minutes, unplugging cell phone chargers that draw power unnecessarily, and using stairs instead of elevators.
To learn more and join the pledge, visit It All Adds Up >>
via Star Tribune
