READY, SET, GO.......GREEN THAT IS

6 and a half hours to go.  Times ticking down to the start of this EcoChallenge.  Why challenge....why not way of life.  Well thats our goal.  To make this a way of life not just for myself or the 5 of us in Townhouse D, or even the 15 of us participating overall, but for the entire school community.  Hopefully it will become part of the school community and we take that out to the world and create change.  I have been recycling and being a part of this "way of life" ever since I remember.  Its just what we did as a family.  I am thrilled to see it happening here, and for myself to be a part of the start.  We are not the only ones starting this "way" either.  I went to the phillies game this past saturday and not only was I extremely thrilled that they clinched the division but I was also thrilled to see the phillies organization going green.  Or as they called it "red goes green".  With recycle stations and workers all around the stadium reminding you to go green and recycle.  If the phillies are getting 45,000 people a night to do this, I am POSITIVE that we can get the 5 in townhouse D, the 15 participants in all, and the entire school community to do this.  We can make a difference and we will.  I leave you with a great quote from a great movie, Patch Adam, "See what no one else sees.  See what everyone chooses not to see....out of fear, conformity or laziness.  See the whole world anew each day."  

If we can do this we will make a difference.

LED flashlights could help

I give Zach great credit for having found a very creative solution. He thought that each Townhouse D resident should have a small LED flashlight with them to navigate the apartment after the sun goes down. Then we would not have to leave our hallway and living room lights on all night. This energy saving solution could easily be financed by the $100 discretionary budget that was awarded to use by the School of Science and Health.

I did some research and found this economy pack that we can order:
http://www.flashlightz.com/product.php/gj5704/?product=170958

These super bright, LED key chain lights have a bright, white LED in the nose. Lithium button cell batteries provide over 23 hours of continuous light and years of intermittent light. The batteries are replaceable and the LED lasts 100,000 hours. Compact and reliable , the LED keychain light has a convenient swivel ring for attaching to keys, belt loops, bag straps and more! Great for help in finding the door locks, steps, and bathroom at night.

Features:
- Super Bright LED lasts 100,000 hours
- Lithium Batteries provide up to 23 hours of continuous use.
- Quickly attached to key chain or belt loop
-Light Beam visible 1/4 mile away
-Includes a swiveling metal keyring

All in favor?

As the days draw closer to the starting line for EcoChallenge '08, I've been trying to think of little ways we can conserve in a big way. A pressing issue in our townhouse is the lack of light that seems to choke the stairway and the main circulation spaces within our house. As a result of this we have resorted to leaving the kitchen or living room light on throughout the night or late into the night so that the guys coming in late won't trip up or down the steps. My solution to this problem is to purchase small key chain flashlights or small floor mounted lights that would provide enough light so that we can leave our kitchen lights off when no one is occupying that room. The small lights would give us enough light to find the larger switches if need be.

EcoChallenge Informational Meeting

Today was historic. The three town homes competing for the title of "greenest dorm on campus" met with the faculty and staff for an informational meeting at 12pm in Kanbar Room 312. Anne Bauer, of Conservation Biology, Matt Baker of the School of Science and Health and Rob Fleming, of Architecture answered some important questions about the competition rules, procedures and expectations.

Erica Krueger is a student in Honors Environmental Science course and will be the monitor for the month. Rob Fleming, professor of Architecture, Science and Sustainability is our faculty advisor and Ted Layton in Room D5 is our Townhouse Captain. These individuals are the best resources for more information and will provide support throughout the month-long competition.