Penn State is challenging itself to go green. As a part of Earth Week (April 20-26), we are challenging ourselves to reduce our energy consumption by 20 percent. We are trying to get all Penn Staters to go green for one day during Earth Week. The effect can be monumental.
We are asking all campus communities to join in and learn how they can help the environment. The goal of the My 20 Challenge is to make a difference, and we want to show you that it’s easy to do. Take the challenge! It’s simple, fun, and educational.
Enlist office challenge organizers and use the suggested format below to outline your challenge. Get others involved and go to environmental battle with another office, residence hall, group, or team to see who can be the most green.
You’ll see how easy it is to make a difference. Now, show us your 20?
Let's See What You've Got (and What Others Are Doing)
Download a My 20 Challenge Template to use with your office, your class, your student group, or group of friends.
Office: Housing & Food Services
Challenges: Transportation Services
The Challenge: The office with the most carpooling miles wins. One person will be in charge of tracking the miles. Then double the miles for every worker in the car.
Play until: 500 miles (or ending date) Goal: 1,000 total miles
Send an office “Challenge E-mail” to another office with the challenge information. Include start and end dates. If they accept, game on!
Other Example Challenges:
- Employees with reusable bags for lunch
- Collect office recycling (cans, pounds of paper, bottles, etc…)
- Hours carpooling (or mileage)
- Office members in carpool
- Most green meetings (everyone walks, video conferencing, no handouts)
Extra Points for:
- Amount of computers set to sleep (& screensaver disabled)
- Office fridge is full
- Using energy-efficient light bulbs
- Thermostat is set on eco-friendly temps
- Printer is defaulted to print on both sides of paper
Use the Carbon Footprint Calculator to figure out the amount of energy consumption you use every day.
- Take the Stairs
Avoiding the use of elevators greatly reduces greenhouse gas emissions. If every on-campus University Park student took the stairs once a day, it would be the equivalent of taking 404 cars off the road. - Use Compact Fluorescent Lightbulbs
Not only do fluorescent bulbs last longer, they use about three-quarters less energy than a 60-watt incandescent bulb. - Set Up a Work Carpool For every coworker you pick up, that is one less car on the road. It’s also a chance to get to know each other better – the more the merrier!
- Ride Your Bicycle to Work
Not only does riding your bike get you exercising outside, it also keeps your car in the garage. Enjoy a ride to work on a nice sunny morning sometime. Bike to Work Day is April 25. - Set your Computer to Sleep
Your computer monitor uses more energy than your hard drive. By setting it to sleep, you will use considerably less energy and many of your programs can stay open. - Turn Off TVs and Other Electronics When Not in Use
Over 3.5 million pounds of greenhouse gas emissions would be saved each year if 5,000 televisions were shut off when not in use. - Keep the Windows Shut When the Heat is On
One pound of coal is burned every hour your window is open during the heating season, which create fumes that cause air pollution. - Know What Can be Recycled in your Town and/or Office and Recycle Every Day
A lot of places recycle different things. Collect your recyclables and make sure they go into the correct receptacles. Recycled materials can be reused again and are saved from going to a landfill. - Shut Down Your Computer at Night
By shutting down your computer every night after you are done with it, you will prevent a significant amount of greenhouse gas emissions every year. - Turn Off Your Screensavers
Screensavers don’t save energy. They actually use more energy than your computer does during normal use. Try setting it to sleep or power saving mode. - Turn Off the Lights When You Leave the Room
If every residence hall room at University Park had their lights off for an additional hour per day, it would equal taking 1,173 cars off the road. - Take Shorter Showers
Reducing shower times by just five minutes saves a huge amount of water yearly. - Unplug Rechargeable Appliances When Not in Use
Many people don’t realize that leaving outlet plugs in iPods, cameras, and cell phones uses energy even when they’re not charging. - Buy Energy-Efficient Products
These products use less energy than standard products and are better for the environment. - Keep Your Refrigerator Full
When there is more in your fridge, it needs to do less work. Keep it stocked with as much as possible. - Reduce the Temperature Setting of your Water Heater
In most cases you won’t even notice the heat difference, but it will make a big difference environmentally by reducing the energy used to heat the water. - Add Insulation and Seal Air Leaks
Ever feel a draft coming from a windowsill or doorway? Block it up! It will keep your area warmer and keep your heating bills down. - Set Your Thermostat Back 10 Degrees at Night or When Nobody’s Home
It’s easy to do and saves a lot of unused heating energy. Remember to set it back before stepping out or crawling into bed, it saves money and energy. - Close Curtains and Shades at Night
You can reduce heat loss by closing your curtains. It will keep your rooms warmer and your heating bills down. - Buy Reusable Grocery Bags and Remember to Use Them
Instead of going through multiple plastic bags every time you are at the store, bring a few reusable bags. They are sturdier, often hold more, and some stores will discount your bill.
Are you doing your part? Let’s see what you’ve been up to. Post your stories and photos at our Sharing 20s page. Talk about what others have done. Post anything from what you’ve done environmentally today or what you’ve been doing your whole life. Stories and photos can inspire others and also teach them what they can do too!
Help promote My 20 by downloading and printing a poster (note: poster is in 11 x 17 format, but can be scaled to fit on a 8.5 x 11 sheet of paper.)
Captain 20
Bruce Smith
