'Challenge' promotes clean energy

Boonsri Dickinson, For the Camera
Wednesday, September 6, 2006

University of Colorado students participating in Wednesday's Campus Climate Challenge were among thousands of students at hundreds of high schools and colleges nationwide committed to slow global warming.

CU took the challenge before and won in 2004. The victory was marked by the goal to use 8,800 megawatt hours per year of renewable energy and plan to power three buildings with renewable energy.

By 2008, the group wants to have zero emissions by powering the campus with wind and solar.

But what can a student do to help fight global warming?

Chacha Spinrad, grassroots coordinator advises students to start by driving less. The group also encourages freshmen to purchase wind power.

The Colorado Public Interest Research Group, or CoPIRG, student chapter put on the Solar Extravaganza on campus along with city of Boulder's Climate Smart volunteers. Energy-efficient light bulbs were handed out to coax the students to talk about renewable energy.

If the students use the fluorescent light bulbs instead of commonly used incandescent bulbs, they will save more than $50 over the bulb's life, said Ken Regelson, a volunteer for Climate Smart Campaign.

There is a direct link between energy savings to carbon dioxide levels. The 15-watt compact fluorescent bulb is equivalent to a 60-watt incandescent bulb, which means carbon dioxide levels are one-fourth of the emissions from a 60-watt light bulb.

Hannah Polow, the campus climate challenge coordinator, said she grew up in a house roofed in solar panels. She said she believes growing up in an environmentally aware family influenced her renewable decisions today.

Christian Sharkey, a sophomore in the business school, stopped by the booth to find out how he could help. But he was stunned when he saw the solar panel backpack charging an iPod.

"That's so cool. Where can I buy one?" Sharkey said.