Campus-wide challenge encourages residences, academic buildings to reduce energy consumption

Mount Allison University will hold its annual Campus Climate Change (C3) Challenge from March 10-23, 2019. The C3 Challenge encourages all members of the university community to reduce their energy use.

“One of the main goals of the challenge is to get people thinking about their individual impact and how to change habits,” says Andrew Linton, a fourth-year honours chemistry and environmental science student and one of the organizers for C3. “We’re also seeking to provide education about not only individual actions but how people can get involved beyond these measures including active participation like lobbying for transitions to renewable energy.”

The annual challenge, first held in 2004, is organized by the student society Eco-Action, in collaboration with the University’s Department of Facilities Management, the Environmental Issues Committee, made up of students, faculty, and staff members, as well as student eco-reps in each residence. Energy use in each building is measured by Facilities Management prior to the time period as a baseline, during the challenge, and then for a follow-up period to compare results and maintenance.

Student residences will be competing for the most energy savings with the winning house being announced at the end of March but all campus facilities are encouraged to participate.

“There are lots of things individuals can do to help reduce their energy consumption, even beyond the typical examples of light use, shorter showers, and lowering thermostats, says Linton. “Through the challenge, we hope people might learn some new ways to be energy efficient and feel more empowered to affect more environmental change.”

Along with leading the logistics for C3 with Facilities Management and residence eco-reps, Linton also sits on the executive for the Eco-Action Society, is a member of the University-wide Environmental Issues Committee, and the sustainability co-ordinator for the Mount Allison Students Union. In this latter role, he is currently helping to draft an environmental policy for the MASU and co-ordinate the allocation of the Union’s Green Investment Fund, which supports environmental initiatives in the community.

C3 is also making its way into the classroom. Learning in Dr. Ralf Brüning’s The Energy Production and Environment class has informed the ability of Eco-Reps to complete calculations around energy use for lighting.

The University will be implementing a 50-cent cup ‘tax’ at Gracie’s and the Flying Bean Cafes on campus during C3 to encourage patrons to bring their own mugs.

Eco-Action, along with other environmentally-focused student groups, will share information on these kinds of opportunities, as well as tips for reducing energy consumption at tables across campus throughout the challenge. Find them on Facebook (@C3MtA) and Instagram (ecoactionmta).