Five colleges and universities won the fourth annual Chill Out competition! Chill Out is the nation's premier campus competition to promote sustainability and honor U.S. schools that are advancing creative approaches to reducing the carbon footprint on campus.
The "National Wildlife Federation applauds the campus innovators and pioneers who are helping to propel us down the path toward a society that no longer depends on pollution for prosperity. The warnings from both scientists and nature itself are clear that we are overdue in curbing the pollution that is disrupting our climate and jeopardizing the air we breathe and the water we drink," said Jeremy Symons, Senior Vice President of Conservation and Education for National Wildlife Federation.
Chill Out participants have demonstrated effective solutions to global warming. Some treat the campus as a student laboratory for green education and training; others reach out to form supportive relationships with the surrounding community, green their transportation systems, and offer incentives to students to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The winning campuses are featured in our annual Chill Out: Campus Solutions to Global Warming webcast. The 2010 webcast features Alisa Reyes (Nickelodeon's All That) and NWF's own David Mizejewski, (NWF Naturalist and Media Spokesman) as cohosts. The free program celebrates the winning campuses and showcases the work that is happening on campuses nationwide. Chill Out is a great organizing tool for campus groups and is entertaining, educational and inspiring.
"The passion that comes from these students, faculty and staff for a sustainable world invigorates the rest of society to continue the fight towards a clean energy and sustainable economy," says Jen Fournelle, Chill Out Manager for National Wildlife Federation. "Chill Out is an incredible opportunity for campus leaders to take a look at what others are doing and see what they can do in their own community.
The 2010 webcast features Alisa Reyes (Nickelodeon’s All That) and NWF’s own David Mizejewski, (NWF Naturalist and Media Spokesman) as cohosts. They celebrate the 40th anniversary of Earth Day, the winning campuses and showcase the work that is happening on campuses nationwide. This free program is just half an hour and is a great organizing tool for campus groups and should prove to be entertaining, educational and inspiring.
Congratulations to all schools that participated in Chill Out 2010!
Innovative Research, Design and Technology Category
Boston Latin School (Boston, MA)
BLS's Youth Climate Action Network (YCAN) is taking a comprehensive approach to greening the campus, including creating an energy model and action plan, an Education for Sustainability Campaign and curriculum pilot, and a green roof. The program advances environmental goals set by students. The Sustainable Roofscape Learning Lab, designed by YCAN students in partnership with Studio G Architects, proposes varieties of vegetation, a green house, and curriculum to go along with it.
Students in Action Category
Western State College of Colorado (Gunnison, CO)
WSC students are leading a variety of visionary efforts to green the campus, including funding a sustainability program with student fees, installing solar panels, launching a free bus system for students, and creating a closed-loop food system with a community garden and onsite composting. The students have been the inspiration and energy for all of these projects.
Green Jobs and Education Category
Central Florida Community College (Ocala, FL)
CFCC is collaborating with other organizations in the community to create The West Ocala Green Job Coalition Training Project. The project provides much needed job training to dislocated workers and low income adults while improving the overall economy, environment and quality of life. The certification curriculum includes a home weatherization program and a solar panel installation program.
Campus-Wide Actions Category
University of Arkansas (Fayetteville, AK)
UA is truly a climate leader, with its goal to be climate neutral by 2040. 25 ambitious projects are underway to reduce greenhouse gases emissions 50% below current levels by 2021. These projects range from replacing laboratory fume heads to lighting retrofits, to making adjustments to the campus's central power plant for better efficiency. These retrofits and projects save the campus $4 million per year.
Best Video
Georgia Institute of Technology (Atlanta, GA)
Georgia Tech student groups - Students Organizing for Sustainability and Environmental Alliance - have created the best video highlighting their efforts to green their campus. This category was selected based on having received the most votes from the online community. The video showcased the recycling, environmental education, bicycle repair and proliferation, and community garden programs at Georgia Tech.
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