September 23, 2009 - 2:34am
Sustainability and energy conservation are top priorities at Vancouver Island University (VIU).
That’s why VIU is hosting “the Power to Change” day and Energy Conservation and Sustainability Industry Trade Show on October 8 at the Nanaimo campus.
The trade show, aimed at students, staff and faculty and the general public, will feature keynote speakers on energy conservation and sustainability, and the inaugural Conservation Recognition Awards. There will also be displays of equipment and services by companies involved in the energy management, conservation, and alternative energy systems industries.
Several activities lead up to “the Power to Change” day, including free films promoting public sustainability and conservation October 5 to 7, and a public presentation and panel discussion on climate change October 6.
A “Power Down Nanaimo Hour” takes place Friday, October 9, between 12 and 1 pm when homeowners and businesses throughout the city are encouraged to turn off electrical appliances, lights, etc. to save power.
“We hope BC Hydro will be able to monitor the change in energy consumption for the City of Nanaimo, comparing the consumption on Thursday with the consumption on Friday for the same period,” said VIU Energy Manager Daryl Amos.
Amos said “the Power to Change” day is part of VIU’s comprehensive energy management program launched last spring in partnership with BC Hydro.
“Energy management is an important component of sustainability,” said Amos. “It’s our responsibility to change the way we use power for the health of our planet. We selected the ‘the Power to Change’ tag line because it reflects the ability of individuals to affect significant reduction in energy consumption through relatively small gestures.”
VIU consumes over 10,000,000 kilowatt hours of electricity each year on the Nanaimo Campus, along with about 38,000 giga joules of natural gas per year.
“Our goal is to save five percent of our electricity consumption and eight percent of our natural gas consumption during the first year of the energy management program,” explained Amos. “This will be good for the environment and result in cost savings for VIU.”
Specific projects have been implemented to improve existing lighting, heating, electrical and mechanical systems and to conserve energy. For example, energy control devices and lamps have been installed across the Nanaimo campus.
“We have $1.3-million in funding from the Ministry of Advanced Education’s Public Sector Energy Conservation Agreement to achieve our initial energy reduction goals,” Amos said.
Faculty, staff and students are encouraged to conserve energy, make better use of available resources and provide their ideas for energy reduction. “Simple actions will help reduce our carbon footprint, and ultimately achieve our goal of carbon neutral operations by the end of 2010,” Amos added.
Amos is also working with students from the on-campus Solutions Network club to generate projects for student led ‘green teams’ who will help promote energy conservation on campus.
“We’re well on our way to developing an energy conservation culture on all VIU campuses,” Amos said. “Our on-going energy monitoring program has identified energy savings opportunities, and demonstrated the effectiveness of energy management initiatives. We’re setting targets for energy reduction efforts, monitoring our progress, and planning future initiatives.”
For further information about “the Power to Change” events at VIU, contact Jolene Edmunds at 250-753-3245, 2739.
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“the Power to Change” event details:
October 5 to October 7, 11:30 am
Free films promoting public sustainability and conservation (shows start at noon). For information on individual films and show locations visit www.viu.ca/energymanagement. Everyone welcome.
October 6 7 pm
Public presentation and public discussion entitled “Climate Change: Facts, Fiction and Conversations”
hosted by VIU’s student club, Awareness of Climate Change Through Education (ACE).
Vancouver Island Conference Centre, downtown Nanaimo.
October 8 10 – 2 pm
Energy Conservation and Sustainability Industry Trade Show
Upper cafeteria, VIU Nanaimo campus (Building 300).
October 9 12 noon to 1 pm
“Power Down Nanaimo Hour”
Tags: In the Community
