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unplugged. Lessons from the UR Energy Wars Competition. Kaitlan Lawrence, University of Richmond ‘12. Overview. Why compete to reduce? Campus Conservation Nationals UR Energy Wars: Challenges & Successes Lessons for Future Competitions. Why Compete to Reduce?.
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unplugged. Lessons from the UR Energy Wars Competition Kaitlan Lawrence, University of Richmond ‘12
Overview • Why compete to reduce? • Campus Conservation Nationals • UR Energy Wars: Challenges & Successes • Lessons for Future Competitions
Why Compete to Reduce? • Raise awareness about energy consumption, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and climate change • Competitive structure offers incentive(s) for students to make changes to habits & lifestyle while competing against peers • Encourage energy education & student involvement in consumption-reduction projects • Reduce energy use & thereby decrease impact on GHG emissions
Campus Conservation Nationals (CCN) • National energy reduction competition • 40 Universities • 600 Residence Buildings • 120,000 Students • Building Dashboard System • Real-time energy monitoring program • Calculate energy use in terms of dollars, kWh, or CO2e • CCN – National-level competition; UR Energy Wars – internal competition among UR residence halls
UR Energy Wars • Successes: • Raised awareness about student energy use, GHG emissions & climate change • Energy reductions in some buildings • Participation after competition ended • Challenges: • Weather changes • Daylight savings time • Insufficient advertising & student awareness of the event • Lack of participation Competition Begins
Lessons for Future Competitions • Increased communication • Length of time • Variety of advertising media • Involve Residence Life staff more • Improve prizes & incentives • Involve clubs or other student organizations (sports, greek, academic interest, etc.) • More awareness among faculty & staff
Special Thanks: • Dr. Mary Finley-Brook, Geography Department & Renewable Energy Education Project • Megan Zanella-Litke, Sustainability Coordinator • GreenUR • Ana Neferu, Phoebe Krumich, Celia Landesburg,