University takes part in Energy Saving Week

The University of Warwick showed its support for the National Energy Saving Week last week with five days packed with events related to environmental issues.

The University, which this year has ranked in the top five “Universities That Count” for its environment and social activity, dedicated the 25th to 29th of October to the reduction of energy consumption to reduce carbon emissions on campus.

Each day an online seminar dealt with a different aspect of this ambitious undertaking, from an analysis of the carbon management and the energy efficiency across the University to a look inside a Low Carbon Building. There were also several tours around the campus to show the main facilities producing energy: the University Energy Centre, the Vehicle Energy Facility and the Energy Efficient Semiconductor Cleanroom.

While most of these events focused on presenting results obtained by the University, not much space is left to students’ suggestions and solutions except for the networking event scheduled for Wednesday at the Dirty Duck and a final Energy Treasure Hunt on Friday. ”I am sure student societies could organize even more if there was a demand for more,” commented Peter Dunn, Warwick University Press Officer.

While students generally responded positively to the event, many were still dubious about how effective such measures would be.

“I know it’s important to work for a better world, but I don’t think I could really make any difference. Everything I do would be spoiled by some factory discharging waste in the ocean and poison gases in the atmosphere,” says Matt, a history student.

Nevertheless the University stressed that this is more than simply an environmental issue. If this campaign positively influences students’ energy habits, the University will save on its own bills, said Press Officer Peter Dunn.

“Every penny saved simply means more for research and teaching,” he said.

This week is a part of the bigger ‘Let’s Make It Happen’ campaign. Throughout the whole Autumn term, this campaign will attempt to raise awareness of environmental problems through a variety of measures, including Departmental Competition for the best energy saving project and other initiatives in collaboration with Coventry City Council and Coventry University during the ‘Switch It Off’ Week in late November.

Details of how much energy was saved during the week were not available before going to print.