Issue 2 • MAY 2012
RGU GREEN TIMES Climate Change Week As part of the national Climate Change Week, representatives from the University’s Sustainability Groups held events in ABS and FHSC, to promote environmental and sustainable issues. Staff and students were given the opportunity to test their driving skills on the eco-driving simulator, provided by Energy Savings Scotland. Edinburgh Bike Shop came along to promote the benefits of cycling, and brought along a bike which uses pedal power to make smoothies. In order to encourage recycling, reusable recycling bins were handed out to students and staff. The bins were supplied by Greener Scotland
Energy Consumption on Campus
Earth Hour
In 2012 we have reduced the energy consumption on campus by over 1 Million kWh comparing the same period in 2011. This would be enough energy to heat the RGU swimming pool for 25 years or equivalent to leaving 862 monitors, hard-drives and printers on 24 hours a day for a year. The sustainability team would like to encourage all staff, students and visitors to continue this great effort to reduce energy consumption on campus.
More than 6,950 cities and towns in 152 countries and territories switched off their lights for Earth Hour 2012, sending a powerful message for action to save the planet. The Student Union held a successful night on the 31st March 2012 and I would like to thanks those who attended to support this great event. Earth Hour 2013 will be held on Saturday the 30th March 2013 and for further information and how to get involved please visit www.earthhour.org
Energy Saving Techniques and Tips 1. Shut down PC’s, monitors and printers at the end of the working day if possible. 2. If leaving your workstation for a period longer than 30 minutes (Meetings, lunch etc) please turn off your monitor. 3. Unplug electrical equipment that is not in use regularly as some items may still continue to use energy. 4. Switch off Microwaves, toasters, kettles when you have finished using them. 5. Please unplug mobile phone charges when the handset is fully charged. Mobile chargers plugged in are a fire risk for the University.
Ever wondered what happens to the things we recycle? People across Scotland had the opportunity to find out more about what happens to the things we recycle, when the Scottish Government’s fun, interactive recycling bank visited RGU in February, as part of the 2012 recycling campaign. The recycling bank also visited other universities, large employers, a shopping centre and a supermarket, to show what common household items such as paper, plastic, glass, metal and cardboard can be transformed into through the recycling process, to raise awareness of the benefits of recycling more items, more often.
Woolmanhill Energy Challenge Flat 25 were crowned 2011/12 Champions and along with Amazon gift vouchers, solar panel mobile phone chargers and an RGU t-shirt they were presented with the RGU Quaich engraved to show their achievement whilst resident at Woolmanhill. Thanks to all for supporting this annual event and we hope your experience at Woolmanhill will set you up for future years at RGU.
Watch what happened… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HaXKM3zuCr0 To find out more about the campaign visit: www.greenerscotland.org RGU Sustainability Groups If you have an interest in sustainable issues, and are interested in joining any of the sustainability groups (staff and students welcome), then please contact judith.logan@rgu.ac.uk.
Future Events
If you have any ideas for events, which you would like to see at RGU, please contact Freshers Fayre - September 2012 judith.logan@rgu.ac.uk. On Your Bike! – September 2012 Woolmanhill Energy Challenge 2012/13 – October 2012 Sustainability Survey – October 2012 Switch it Off Campaign - November 2012 RGU Sustainability Event – November 2012 and March 2013 Earth Hour 2013 – 30th March 2013 Woolmanhill Energy Challenge Prize Giving – April 2013