Last month students at Tufts competed against each other for "Do-It-In-The-Dark" and the chance to win a free party for their dorm. As an Eco-Representative for Tufts I've found that many students are enthusiastic about reducing their energy consumption, but a larger percentage of students prefer to ignore this campus-wide effort and instead revel in the free glow of the glow-in-the-dark condoms. Who is really doing it in the dark at Tufts?
A number of Tufts students have signed an energy pledge that lists out ways to reduce their energy consumption. The pledge lists simple things like turning off their computer or lights as good measures to reducing energy consumption. Switching to compact fluorescents is another popular option for those who are lucky enough to get their hands on the free bulbs distributed by the Tufts Climate Initiative.
The majority of Tufts buildings already use fluorescents as part of a dedication to the Kyoto Protocol for the school's emissions. Students can easily follow suit and screw in a new bulb. These wacky little bulbs not only last for about two years, but use only one third the electricity the traditional incandescent bulbs most of our desk lamps require. As of 2004, approximately three thousand bulbs had been distributed over campus. Maybe it's time for students to turn on the lights and ask for a campus-wide trade in of incandescent bulbs for compact fluorescents.
Although Do-It-In-The-Dark is officially over, reducing energy consumption on campus should be more than a month-long venture into the realm of environmentally friendly behavior. This fall and winter as energy prices soar, everyone can do their part to use less heat, not just to save on the Tufts energy bill, but to contribute to our environment as global citizens.
Tufts' dedication to creating global citizens makes it the ideal breeding ground for an environmentally conscious student body. It is not enough for school sponsored programs to promote and encourage energy efficient policies. Students at Tufts must be responsible for making the changes in their lives and their dorm rooms. For students living off campus it's easier to see why efficiency works to everyone's advantage. When the high bills come back, the incentive to save should be even higher.
The Tufts campus will be better off the sooner Jumbos learn to save energy. Tufts' goal of creating global citizens cannot be realized merely through classroom activities. Creating a generation of informed and responsible citizens who respect the environment is only possible through increased involvement from students with the cooperation of the administration.
Rebecca Dunlevy is a freshman who has yet to declare a major.
