You don’t need a thermometer or annoying Facebook friends to know that it’s getting cold. While nothing beats coming home to a warm house or dorm room after a long day on campus, don’t murder the environment in the process of staying toasty.
When we live in the dorms, we don’t have to sweat things like “heating bills,” “electricity” or “responsibility.” But whether you live in Hinman, Hayes or Hawley, the smallest actions can make a difference in reigning in your carbon footprint.
When you leave for Thanksgiving break, unplug everything. Those notices the resident assistants give out in the dorms aren’t solely about Binghamton University saving money. It’s not a bad idea to get into the habit of unplugging anything not in use: cell phone and iPod chargers, appliances, speakers. A lot of devices drain energy even when they’re not in use, and unplugging is the only way to ensure you’re not inadvertently using these “energy vampires.” Plus, you’ll reduce the wear and tear on your gadgets by giving them a rest.
If you live off campus, turn down the heat and kill the lights when you go to class in the morning, then power back up when you get home. Keeping the heat low at all times is good, too; you don’t need to be able to cook Hot Pockets on the living room floor. But it doesn’t count if you substitute your heat with an electricity-chugging space heater; we suggest bundling up for warmth and, of course, cuddling.
Ever been to an ugly sweater party? Of course you have, and they’re awesome. Not only because nobody cares how they look, but because everyone is comfy as hell. Take notes; it’s not hard to incorporate the snugness of a winter sweater into your daily life, and if you’re worried about looking frumpy, remember how little is expected of your fashion sense in the winter months.
For the more proactive students, there are several do-it-yourself projects that will reduce both your heating bill and your carbon footprint. Insulating your windows is easy, cheap and will achieve remarkable results in terms of keeping the heat locked in and the cold shut out. Consider rubber weather sealing to close up the gaps, plastic shrink film to insulate the windows and draft snakes to slide next to your doorways.
While we’re on our envi-kick, as you figure out your break travel plans, make sure they involve some kind of carpool. You don’t need to lug a ton of stuff home for the less-than-weeklong break, so space shouldn’t be an issue, and it’s nice to have some company for the haul back home.
Before we seem too preachy, these are notes to ourselves, our friends and our housemates, too. Very few of us live up to the ideal citizens Captain Planet hoped we’d turn out to be, but we’re recognizing how much work we have to do, and we’re trying to take the steps needed to make our lifestyles more sustainable. We hope you’re inspired to join us. Especially with the sweater thing.