ECO ACTION 2008
Make sure to sign our online Green Georgetown Pledge! The pledge is as follows:
Georgetown Green Pledge:
I will strive, to the best of my abilities, to…
1. Reduce carbon emissions linked to transportation by walking, biking, or using public transportation.
i. Link to public transportation website
ii. Rent a bike in Washington D.C. website
2. Reduce water usage by taking shorter showers and flushing less frequently.
i. In the US, on average, showers account for 2/3 of the overall home water heating energy usage – here are 100 water saving tips for the Northeast US website
3. Conserve energy.
i. Link to energy conservation tips
ii. Personal computers account for approximately 1.5% of all energy consumption. One computer left on 24 hours a day uses between $65 and $115 annually and dumps 850-1,500 pounds of carbon dioxide into the air. Here are a few things you can do to help conserve energy (from UMass Amherst Housing and Residence Life):
1. Turn your computer off at night or when you are away
2. If the computer is going to be inactive for greater than 15 minutes, consider shutting it down. After this time, the energy needed to run the computer is greater than the energy needed for start-up
3. Do not turn the printer on until you are ready to use it
4. Most computer equipment now comes with power management features (Energy Star), please use them
a. Despite the name, screen savers do not save anything, so turn off your monitor when not in use. Flashing images actually consume as much energy as during active use
4. Reduce the amount of waste I produce by purchasing minimally packaged goods and recycling items I cannot reuse.
i. Recycling information for students and DC residents website
5. Eat lower on the food chain by minimizing my meat consumption.
i. Why excess meat consumption harmful to the environment and what you can do about it. Check out this website, and another useful link
ii. Or (From conservation international):
Buy locally produced meats and produce. Sounds like a good idea, but you don't know where to start? Just type in your zip code on Local Harvest's website to see a list of farms and farmers' markets close to home, as well as nearby restaurants committed to supporting their neighbors. Buying locally produced food cuts out the middlemen and the vast amounts of energy required to get your products onto store shelves. Most produce in U.S. supermarkets travels an average 1,500 miles before it is sold!
6. Recycle and Reuse Paper
i. Try to print double sided- ask your professors to consider changing the standard paper requirements to double sided with smaller margins and one and a half spacing.
ii. List of locations at Georgetown with double sided printing capabilities
7. Purchase used clothing and accessories or clothing made with earth-friendly materials such as organic cotton or recycled material. Remember to clean out your closet every year!
i. List of local vintage stores website
ii. Map of locations for vintage and used clothing around Washington D.C. website
8. Avoid using Styrofoam containers
i. Find out more about Styrofoam and the alternatives website
9. Avoid using plastic bags by purchasing reusable bags (like ours!) or reuse plastic bags.
i. Sierra Club: Save Oil, Save Trees: Reuse Your Grocery Bags! website
ii. Use the Corp’s reusable bags! website
10. Make others aware of their ecological impact.
EMAIL SIOBHAN WITH ANY QUESTIONS, COMMENTS, OR ADDITIONAL LINK SUGGESTIONS: set24@georgetown.edu