The Earth month challenge so far has been a walk in the park. It really is very easy to turn off lights and appliances when they are not in use. I have realized, however, that both lights and appliances are left on far too often. It is better that I am realizing this and turning them off, but they really should have been off when they were no longer being used -not when I notice an hour later. I am certain that this is making an impact on the amount of power I use everyday, and it will no doubt add up as time goes on. Saving energy in this way is very easy. I believe that if everyone did a minor thing, such as turning off light when they leave the room or unplugging the T.V. when no one is using or watching it, the power savings would be substantial.

My next weekly challenge for Earth month is to eliminate my bus usage around campus, and instead walk, bike, or skateboard around to classes or to events. This might seem very minor, but the more weight a bus is carrying, the more fuel it uses. If a larger number of people would be willing to walk instead of bus around campus, the busing system would save a larger amount of fuel. Besides, there really is not a place on campus that is outside of walking or biking distance. I am anticipating that this week will go well, especially considering that spring is finally here and I can enjoy the warm weather.

Each week for the next four weeks, I will be reducing my carbon footprint by eliminating some form of energy overuse from my daily life. For the first week, I am choosing to decrease the amount I leave lights and appliances on when I’m not in the room. Week two, I will stop using the CLN and CLS bus around campus. Week three, I will be taking cooler showers instead of hot ones. Finally, in the fourth week, I will stop using the up elevator in Morrill Tower. Since these challenges are cumulative, by the fourth week I will still be following the guidelines for the previous weeks. I think the most challenging part of this will be the last week, not because of the acumulation, but because I live on the tenth floor. Walking up ten flights of stairs three or four times a day after walking to and from high street will probably get old very fast.

My area of focus for the Earth month challenge is energy and transportation. I am interested in this particular topic because Morrill tower, at nearly the same time, was advertising a challenge to conserve energy in a competition. There are plenty of things to do to conserve energy so that any person is able to participate.

1.One of the most basic things you can do to preserve energy is to turn off lights and appliance when you leave the room. Most people, I’m sure, are tired of hearing this, but it really is one of the easiest ways to conserve energy.

2. In a similar way, unplugging appliance when you’re done with them will save some power. Plugged in appliance still take energy from the wall when they are not in use.

3. Appliances, also, should be shopped for carefully. Older and outdated appliances are more likely to be inefficient and use more energy. Be sure to buy the most energy efficient models.

4.When washing clothes or dishes, try to use warm or cold water rather than hot. This will use the water heater less -a major contributor to power use.

5.In fact, another way to preserve energy is to directly change temperature settings on your home’s water heater.

6.Carefully heat and cool rooms, overheating and over-cooling rooms when no one is home can become a chronic energy problem if it is not managed

7.Replace or clean air filters in air conditioners regularly to maintain efficiency

8.Replace old light bulbs with new florescent bulbs

9.Insulate your water heater so it will not lose heat hen idling

10. Install low flow shower heads and toilets in your home to reduce water waste

11. Instead of taking the elevator each day, use stairs whenever you’re able, as often as you can

12.Bike or walk instead of driving or taking the bus

13. If you cannot bike or walk, simply use the bus instead of driving your own car

14.consider buying a laptop instead of a desktop, they use less energy

15.Keep the refrigerator and freezer full

ENR scholars is a great resource to ask energy conservation questions to. Also, the President and Provost’s council on sustainability is serving as the main coordination point for conservation efforts of the university. Finally, the Council on the Physical Environment will answer any conservation questions and provide resources.

Many online resources exist that can help anyone conserve energy. I’ve found four websites that provide tips that can help homeowners, business owners, and just about anyone else reduce their impact. These four websites may help anyone looking to save some money and some power:

http://www.ecomall.com/greenshopping/20things.htm 

https://www.progress-energy.com/carolinas/home/save-energy-money/energy-saving-tips-calculators/100-tips.page?

http://www.powerhousetv.com/Energy-EfficientLiving/Energy-savingsTips/027471

https://www.ovoenergy.com/guides/energy-guides/120-ways-to-save-energy.html 

The second semester Columbus to do list is a project I am looking forward to. First semester, I really enjoyed completing the downtown to do list. I saw everything from the Columbus art museum to Dirty Frank’s Hot Dog Emporium.

This semester I am choosing to complete the coffee and tea to do list. This is mostly because of the caffeine dependence that I have built up over the past few months, but also because it is something I enjoy to do in my spare time anyway. I am really looking forward to finding some new spots on High Street to unwind, study, or get a boost for the day. A person can only drink so much Morrill Tower coffee before it gets old. There are ten coffee and tea shops on the to do list, and I don’t think it would be difficult at all for me to visit each one in more than a few days if I was feeling a need to restock the coffee and tea in my room.

One of the shops on the list, Mission coffee, was the first place I was able to visit. I thought to take a bus there but ended up walking instead because the COTA was shut down for a period when I decided to go. The little, blue shop gave off a relaxing vibe and was very friendly inside. It was cheap, easy, and also some of the best chai tea I’ve had in a very long time.