Between global warming awareness, Al Gore’s award-winning documentary and the ever-present dilemma of oil consumption, Americans are constantly being reminded about the importance of conserving our natural resources. So it should come as no surprise that UW-Madison has decided to jump on the bandwagon and make major efforts toward energy conservation on campus.
Faramarz Vakili stresses campus conservation through the We Conserve campaign.
Photo Credit: Andy HardyAlthough the university has worked to reduce energy consumption in the past, the “We Conserve” campaign sets more specific goals for the future of the campus. The campaign aims to not only reduce campuswide energy consumption 20 percent by the year 2010, but more importantly, it looks to educate students about conservation tactics. Faramarz Vakili, the program’s director, says that instilling the spirit of conservation is the number one goal of We Conserve.
Vakili had been working toward energy conservation for five years prior to suggesting the We Conserve campaign.
“We needed a goal. For me, 20 percent was a very aggressive goal,” Vakili says.
Since starting in April 2006, the program has made a name for itself across campus. Signs bearing witty slogans such as “Heroes Needed” and “Conversation about Conservation” can be seen posted on several buildings. At the We Conserve website, supporters can pledge to do their part in the fight against energy waste. To date, over 600 people have agreed to consciously make efforts toward reducing consumption. Vakili hopes these supporters will spread the word about We Conserve and work to get others involved.
To some, the 20 percent decrease may seem like an easily-obtainable goal for a campus the size of UW-Madison; however, with so many students and faculty requiring a constant supply of energy, this may not be the case.
“Even if we turned off all the lights on campus and all the computers, we still would not even be close to saving 20 percent,” Vakili says.
Vakili believes the project’s progression has been on target with his expectations. We Conserve is an “exponential project” in that once initial milestones are reached the progress will have a snowball effect. The program has been concentrating on educating students on how they can make future improvements. The program is currently in the planning stage, pinpointing the most significant sources of energy consumption and deciding on the next move. On the engineering campus alone, there are approximately $1.5 million in possible savings.
Vakili says that the project is not based on linear progression and that there are no specific day-to-day goals.
“There are four legs to the table: efficient systems, informed people, realistic expectations and responsible actions,” Vakili says.
One of the biggest sources of controversy in regards to this campaign is that UWMadison’s energy suppliers use entirely non-renewable generation methods. Most of the energy being used is produced at UW-Madison’s Charter Street Plant, a coalburning facility.
Many environmentalists have expressed concern over UW-Madison’s contribution to air pollution through the continued use of coal power. However, Vakili says the switch to a campus powered by all renewable sources is easier said than done.