Open Day a success for 2011 Monash Environmental Pledge!

The Office of Environmental Sustainability (tOES) took part in O Week festivities talking with hundreds of students and staff to promote the 2011 Monash Environmental Pledge and the 5 steps towards sustainability on campus. So, far more than 1500 students and staff have committed to take the pledge...live the pledge, moving towards a year end target of 10,000.

The pledge which was launched in 2009, encourages staff and students to join Monash University in Greening up our Act, and for every staff or student member who pledges, Monash will contribute $5 towards renewable energy projects. In 2010, more than 6000 pledges were received, with a total of $30,000 being committed towards on-campus renewable energy schemes including the installation of solar hot water systems at the Sports Hockey Pavilion at Clayton campus and Student Residences at Berwick and Peninsula campuses. These projects will result in significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.

Callers to the tOES tent were also encouraged to be more energy smart by turning out lights, using sustainable transport, recycling and cutting out the use of bottled water.

And, this year, we will also be conducting random draws for great sustainable gifts, such as coffee mugs, chocolate, water bottles and heaps more, with winners announced through the Monash Green News.

Here are some simple ways to Take the Pledge...Live the Pledge:

Take a four minute shower (or less)
Turn off lights in lecture theatres, tutorial rooms, kitchens, offices and labs when you are the last person to leave
Use sustainable transport such as carpooling, cycling or public transport to travel to uni at least one day a week
Use a refillable bottle at water fountains rather than buying bottled water
Have at least one meat-free day a week
Become a Green Rep and work with others to reduce our environmental impact

For more information go to http://fsd.monash.edu.au/environmental-sustainability/living-pledge