Trinity College School’s week two goal for the Inter-School Green Cup Challenge was to reduce our electricity consumption by 1,000 kwh or 2% of our normal weekly winter use. When the meters were read late last week, the main Senior School buildings and Petrie House had together saved 943 kwh! This saved over 4,000 kg of greenhouse gasses from going into the atmosphere. Our overall standing in the challenge dropped a few places due to extra electricity needed to dry out the Boulden House flood last week, but we will undoubtedly get back on track in the coming days.

Next week, we’re setting a goal of reducing ghost power or stand-by power. This is the power that your electronic devices are using even though they’re shut off. Devices such as stereos, TV’s, computers, and all chargers or adapters use 7-12 watts of power even when the device is off. This might not seem like a lot, but with almost 800 people on campus using devices like these, this really adds up.

Students and staff are being asked to unplug all chargers and adapters when they’re not being used. This is made easier if computers, stereos, and any other audio-video equipment are plugged into a power bar which can just be shut off each night. Going into the long weekend, boarders have been asked to unplug all the electronic stuff in their rooms and lounges. Starting next week, the tower lights on LeVan Hall, Osler Hall, and the Memorial Chapel will be shut off at midnight in order to further save electricity.

Learn more about the Green Cup Challenge at http://www.greencupchallenge.net/.

- By Alison Elliott, environmental coordinator