Green Cup Challenge 2009: We're Counting!
January 27, 2009
GCC starts with a presentation from Climate Counts
The Green Cup Challenge kicked off Monday with a visit from Wood Turner, Executive Director of Climate Counts, an organization working to "bring consumers and companies together in the fight against global climate change."
Turner with E-ProctorsTurner spoke to the all-school Assembly and met separately with over 50 Environmental Proctors (E-Proctors). He discussed the role consumers can play in convincing companies to change their ways. "You are in a good position to help motivate classmates, your families and people you know," said Turner to the E-Proctors. He encouraged students to build awareness about global climate change, and to communicate their commitment by purchasing from companies that support reductions in their carbon footprint.
To date, Climate Counts has rated 94 companies in 12 sectors on their "commitment to tackling global warming" using a 22-criteria scorecard. Companies are ranked as Striding (programs in place to address climate change), Starting (just getting going) or Stuck (not taking meaningful action on climate change).
During an informal question-and-answer session with Turner, E-Proctors touched on many topics:
"How can we be sure that Climate Counts is not corrupted by the companies that you score?" asked one senior.
"What sorts of actions do companies take to improve their scores?" asked another E-Proctor.
"How would you rate the success of Climate Counts?" asked a student.
"How can a company, like a big airline, with only 35 points out of a possible 100 be considered 'Striding'?" challenged a fourth.
E-Proctors listening to Turner discuss Climate CountsTurner, who typically visits large colleges, was happy with the level of interest at Exeter. "I'd love your ideas on how we can put company scores into peoples' hands," he said to the E-Proctors. "There's no end to how many people we can engage in this effort," he explained. "We want to have a relationship with consumers early in the building of their consumer habits. Maybe they'll be leaders on this issue 20 years from now."
GCC Grows to More than 150 Schools Nationwide
The GCC encourages high schools to work together to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and save energy during the most punishing part of winter. Started in 2003 at PEA as an inter-dorm energy conservation program, it has grown explosively. This year, the GCC includes more than 50 private, independent boarding schools from nine Northeastern states. The Northeast GCC joins more than 100 schools nationwide in their 4-week effort to educate and combat global warming.
Exonians are hanging flags outside dorm windows urging support of the GCC. "The Challenge is aimed at making students, faculty and staff aware of their use of electricity, and helping them find ways to conserve," says PEA Sustainability Coordinator, Jennifer Wilhelm. "This year, all participating schools will work together to reduce their electricity consumption by 7 percent by actively using less energy. Members of each school community will be encouraged to use less energy by turning off computers, monitors, lights and appliances when not in use; hanging clothes out to dry instead of using dryers; turning down thermostats; and taking shorter, cooler showers."
Interested in learning more?
Hear why it's fun to be an E-Proctor at Exeter…
Check out Exeter's new Sustainability website...
Read about the Green Cup Challenge at Green Schools Alliance…
See how Climate Counts ranks companies…
Read the press release on the GCC, which includes a list of the schools involved…
