Not only do they hope to replace lighting in the school's gym; they want to develop a system to run several personal computers off one drive, with an 80 percent cut in energy use.
There also are plans for an electricity generating solar panel on the new concession stand at the football field. And the school is starting a new recycling program to eliminate Styrofoam and plastic in the lunchroom, cutting carbon emissions and reducing trash.
The goal is to cut the school's carbon footprint by 10 percent, or about 100 tons per year, over the next couple years.
"Computers are a huge energy loss at our school. We can run like 10 computers off one with this new system," said Caitlin Rudd, a Green Bandit eighth-grader. "We've also been using some cool new gadgets that show us where we are losing energy around the school -- then we try to think of ways we can fix it."
At UMD, sustainability coordinator Mindy Granley said carbon calculators show 90 percent of the school's greenhouse gas emissions come from electricity and natural gas. Every effort to make lighting and heating more efficient so less coal (for electricity) and gas are burned helps reduce carbon, Granley noted.
"We've been working administratively for a while on taking steps to cut energy use and carbon. But [Minnesota Schools Cutting Carbon] is exciting because it has got students involved," Granley said. "We're working off their ideas. It's also saving some money, which is good in a state budget crunch like we have."
Students also recognized that how they get to school creates carbon emissions, and last spring held a "bike, bus and board to school" promotion.
UMD already has made some moves. Earlier this year, four new outdoor solar-powered trash compactors were placed at key locations around campus. They crush trash so containers need to be emptied less often, and recycling bins are included at the same site. There also are solar panels on top of the football stadium.
Campus officials also turned down the thermostat this winter and are asking staff to stay home for the holidays during the Dec. 24-Jan. 4 break. The goal is to shut down as many departments as possible to save energy and money.
"In the past, when people complained it was cold in their rooms, we turned up the heat. But this year we're sticking with 68 degrees. When people ask us to turn it up, we're saying no," Granley said. "We're also asking staff to take two vacation days during the student break -- and that would give us 11 days to essentially shut down the campus and turn down the heat. It's not mandatory, but it sounds like a lot of people are going to give it a try."
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