A student-led initiative with faculty and staff support, the Wartburg-Luther Energy Challenge really gave new life to the sustainability movement on campus.  With both schools tracking and trying to reduce their consumption habits, the challenge saw a huge student response and incredible results on Wartburg’s Campus:

• 3.62% reduction in campus-wide electric usage
• 11% campus-wide reduction in water usage (12% in the Student Center alone!)

Though there was also a 1% increase in natural gas usage, the overall impact was substantial and brought much-welcomed savings to the college in February, hopefully serving as incentive for future, concrete changes.
Here’s what a couple of students involved in the challenge had to say about the month.

“The competition with Luther did fuel a good part of the promotion for the challenge.  The decreases in energy use are great!  I am very impressed with how everyone came together on this.  Hopefully it will help us get more support for next year—student support in particular.” - Jenny Kordick, ‘09

“Probably one of the coolest things that I noticed throughout this whole campaign was the excitement and extra effort to be sustainable the Energy Challenge evoked.  For instance, multiple classes were held in the dark, many people were walking around shutting off lights and lowering thermostats, and people were being more conscious about the amount of waste that they were generating.  Overall, what excited me most the amount of conversation that I heard…about problem areas and issues regarding Wartburg and sustainability.” - Jen Wendland, ‘09

With the next school year beginning, preparations are already underway to make this year another successful year.

To get involved in the coordination of the 2010 Wartburg-Luther Energy Challenge or elect to become a volunteer, email sustainability@wartburg.edu with Energy Challenge in the subject line.