WHAT CAN YOU DO?
Simple Steps that Make a Difference
Like many colleges across the country, Smith is concerned about the increase in greenhouse gases, global warming and climate change. We are in a trasitional period in history when fossil fuel energy will slowly phase out and will most likely be replaced by clean renewable energy sources. As this transition takes place over the coming decades, many electrical devices, transportation methods, and heating/cooling systems will become more efficient, making the transition easier and faster. There are many simple changes you can make in your daily routine now to reduce the consumption of fossil fuel and thus reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
A coalition of students, faculty, and staff are working on actions to move Smith toward increased sustainability. Here are the Green Team's tips for simple actions that matter and resources for addtional ideas.
After reading the tips below, please take a moment to visit our Links Page. There you'll find a wealth of knowledge about how you can do your part to help the earth.
Actions that Cost Nothing--and Add Up
- Recycle. Put soda cans, plastic and glass bottles, and paper in the proper receptacles throughout campus. Smith recycles aluminum cans, bottles (glass and all types of plastic), cardboard, batteries (if your house doesn't have a battery box, set one up), printer cartridges, old computers and electronics (call Physical Plant at x2400).
- But recycling still takes energy, so... Use a personal water bottle or travel mug instead of many paper cups or plastic bottles. Get your free personal hot or cold travel mug at Dining Services Central Check-In booth. Some places near campus will fill your coffee mug and allow a few cents credit for using your own container.
- It's good to sleep! Change your computer settings so the screen sleeps after 10 minutes of inactivity, your hard drive stops after 20 minutes, and your computer enters "sleep mode" after one hour. Using sleep mode on your computer can save 200 kilowatt-hours of energy a year and avoid 300 pounds of greenhouse gas emissions. Contact ITS (x4487) for information about your computer's sleep settings or check out their online instructions.
- Make your first million. Join the Million Monitor Drive by pledging now to enable your computer's sleep mode. ITS has committed 1000 staff and faculty computers, and Clean Energy for Smith (CES) has committed 1800 student-owned PCs. The deadline for the student effort is November 22, and is part of a three-school competition with Amherst and Mount Holyoke.
If we reach our goal, the prize will be enough green energy to power all the student computers this year. Why do we put the Million Monitor Drive first and the green energy second? The emissions savings by enabling sleep mode on those 1800 PCs is actually GREATER than the emissions savings from powering all 2400 student PCs with green energy. In fact, it's 40% more.
- Live au naturel. Turn off your lights when you leave a room, or don't use lights during daylight hours. That's what the sun is for!
- Get out more. Study at the library so you can leave the lights off in your room. After all, the lights in the library will be on all day no matter how many students are studying there.
- Be cool. Turn down your thermostat to at most 68 during the heating season and wear a fleece or sweatshirt. Even a few degrees helps.
- Is it hot in here, or is it just me? Contact Physical Plant (call x2400 or use their Service Request Form) if your room is too cold or too hot. Don't just open the window and waste heat on the outdoors. Instead of an electric blanket or a space heater, use a thermal or fleece blanket. If it's mostly your feet that get chilly, a throw over the foot of the bed or fresh socks at bedtime will keep your feet warm.
- A big turn-off. Take shorter showers, don't leave water running while you do other things, and report drips and leaks to Physical Plant.
- Take a hike. Walk, ride your bicycle, or use a scooter to get to classes, across campus, or downtown.
- It's my bag, baby! Take a tote bag shopping and reduce the load of plastic bags on the streets and in the trees! Grocery stores allow you a nickel for bringing your own bag.
- When not in use, turn off the juice. Turn off all appliances (computers, TV, stereo, etc.) when not in use. Surge protector power strips allow you to turn off several appliances at once.
Bulk Up. Buying laundry detergent in bulk for your house stops the unnecessary manufacturing of plastic containers. And it will save you money!
The detergent you see in the picture costs about $361. A five-gallon tub of detergent is only $70. You do the math.
If everyone shares the cost of a large container of detergent, everyone will save money and "borrowing" other people's detergent will no longer be an issue in the laundry room.
Things you can do that are worth a small investment
- Time for a Tupperware party! Bring your own reusable plastic food containers to the dining room for those late-night snacks. Dishes and flatware stay in the dining rooms.
- Looking for an excuse to buy a new radio? Purchase appliances that consume less energy or even generate their own, such as a "Freeplay Ranger" AM/FM radio, compact fluorescent light bulbs, and solar power battery chargers. Look for "Energy Star" rated appliances when you buy.
- Boogie Down. Down booties keep feet warm and comfy on cold nights.
- Got a light? Purchase compact fluorescent light bulbs; they pay for themselves over time. The chart below shows what happens just by changing one 100-watt light bulb in your room or office.
| Bulb on 6 hours a day | 27 Watt Compact Fluorescent | 100 Watt Incandescent |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of one bulb | $3.35 | $0.50 |
| Bulb life | 4.5 years | 5.5 months |
| Annual energy cost | $5.91 | $21.90 |
| Bulbs replaced in 4.5 years | 0 | 10 |
| Greenhouse gas avoided | 94 lbs. | 0 |
| Total cost | $29.95 | $103.55 |
| Savings over bulb life | $73.60 | 0 |
If you think you can't make a difference, think again!
If every Smith student bought one 20 watt compact fluorescent, we could avoid 120 tons of greenhouse gas emissions -- and save the college more than $30,000 a year!
