VIU promotes energy conservation during Power to Change week Oct. 18-22

Learn more about energy conservation and increase your knowledge about power consumption during Vancouver Island University’s second annual Power to Change week Oct. 18 to 22.

The public is invited to take part in a series of fun and informative activities during the week including an energy conservation trade show in the upper cafeteria of VIU’s Nanaimo campus (Building 300) on October 21 from 10 to 2 pm. The trade show will feature displays by local companies who support energy savings and sustainability.

Individual homeowners and businesses are encouraged to participate in a “Power Down Nanaimo Hour” on Oct. 22 from 12 to 1 pm. BC Hydro is loaning VIU a gigantic light switch which will be displayed outside the main library on the Nanaimo campus to symbolize energy that can be saved by turning off lights, computers and other household electrical appliances. Nanaimo Mayor John Ruttan is anticipated to proclaim “Power Down Nanaimo Hour” for the entire community.

“We hope BC Hydro will monitor the change in energy consumption for the City of Nanaimo on their substation meter, comparing consumption on Friday with the previous Friday for the same period,” said VIU Energy Manager Daryl Amos.

The public is also invited to an informal presentation and panel discussion called Climate Change: Facts and Fiction at Beban Park Recreation Centre (Leisure Room), 2300 Bowen Road, Nanaimo on Oct. 19 from 7 to 9 pm. Presented by VIU students and faculty, the presentation will explore the science and implications of climate change and what the general public can do to help change the face of the world.

“In this presentation, individuals will learn about the dangers of increased ‘greenhouse gas’ emissions, why some popular climate myths and misconceptions are misleading, what you can do at home and work to support a more sustainable future, and what others are doing to reduce fossil fuel energy dependence,” said Dr. Erik Krogh, VIU chemistry professor and faculty sponsor of the Awareness of Climate Change through Education and Research project (ACER).

The following day, Oct. 20, join VIU Geography professor Don Alexander as he discusses climate change from a social sciences perspective. His free public talk takes place at the Nanaimo campus, Building 355, Room 203 (theatre) from 4 to 5 pm.

Current energy and sustainability films will be shown on Oct. 18, 19 and 20 starting at 11:45 am in Building 180, Room 134. This year’s films include Peter Mettler’s Petropolis: Aerial Perspectives on the Alberta Tar Sands; Green Architecture which highlights the work of 20 college teams who compete to design, build and demonstrate the operation of the most attractive energy-efficient house; and Power Shift, a film hosted and narrated by actress Cameron Diaz which explores the remarkable way energy touches our daily lives.

Students, staff, faculty and the public will also have the opportunity to win exciting prizes while testing their knowledge during Sustainable Jeopardy. The game will be played in the Lower Cafeteria (Building 185) from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm on Oct. 19, and during the Energy Conservation trade show on Thursday.

“We hope to raise awareness about energy conservation and sustainability in a fun, friendly and informative way,” said Amos.


VIU’s annual Power to Change event is part of a comprehensive energy management program launched in partnership with BC Hydro two years ago.

For more information, visit www.viu.ca/energymanagement/PowertoChange2010.asp