Green Cup Challenge 2009 Unplug your chargers! by Caleb Booth '09 February is fast approaching and Berkshire will, once again, be competing in the Green Cup Challenge (GCC). The GCC began at Phillips Exeter Academy in 2003 as a campus-wide electricity reduction competition. In 2006, the competition expanded to an inter-school challenge. This year, the Green School Alliance (GSA) helped promote the challenge and administer it on a national level. The goal of the challenge is to reduce the electricity consumption of one’s school; the campus with the largest reduction wins. Berkshire School, winner of the GCC last year, is a national coordinator for the GCC and the primary role model for other competing schools across the nation. Click here to read more about how Berkshire won the Green Cup Challenge last year. The Green Cup Challenge lasts for the month of February. Presentations, meetings and activities will occur before, during and after to increase awareness about energy conservation and climate change. In 2008, 35% of Berkshire’s carbon dioxide emissions were from electricity use. Participating in the Green Cup Challenge is an excellent way to also decrease Berkshire’s carbon footprint. Turning off lights might be the most obvious way to reduce electricity. Another easy way is to unplug chargers and unused appliances, because of their large resting electrical draw.   CFL bulbs use 75% less energy than regular incandescent bulbs. Faculty, staff, and students will all have to do their part in order to be successful in the competition. John Alden, the school’s Chief Financial Officer, always makes an effort to be energy-conscious. “I walk rather than drive around campus and this computer gets shut off when I go home.” Shutting down computers is one of the best ways to conserve electricity because they can use up to 300 kWh. The purpose of the Green Cup Challenge is not only to save energy during February but to learn to be energy-conscious year round. “It was disappointing to me that once the competition was over that some people went back to their old wasteful ways. We should be competing against ourselves all the time not just in February to try to use energy more efficiently. We "win" only when we have learned to reduce the consumption and waste each and every day,” says Alden. This year Berkshire hopes to make stronger, more lasting behavioral changes in the community through the Green Cup Challenge. The following lists just a few of the events to be held during the challenge. Wed, Jan. 21st : Green Cup Challenge Presentation The Green Cup Challenge will be introduced and Berkshire’s YouTube video submission will be shown during an all school meeting. Click here to view the Berkshire video. Fri, Jan. 23rd: Candlelight Dinner No electric lighting will be used during dinner. This event marks the start of the Green Cup Challenge. Sat, Jan. 24th: Winter Carnival Activities will be held outside. Students will turn off all lights and unplug all electronic devices before attending the event. Wed, Feb. 4th: Focus the Nation Presentation GCC videos from other schools will be played and results of the Focus the Nation assignments will be announced. Mon, Feb. 9th: No-Tray Dining Trays will no longer be available for use during meals in an effort to reduce food waste, reduce water consumption, and save energy. Fri, Feb. 13th: Candlelight Dinner Sat, Feb. 14th: Bonfire Students will turn off all lights and unplug all electronic devices before attending the event. Month of February Emissions Trading Program and Energy Conservation Accountability System Two student-led programs that will provide incentives for conserving energy and keep others accountable for wasting energy will be implemented.   Date: 1/22/2009

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