With students and faculty leading efforts to embrace sustainable living, Cal State Monterey Bay (CSUMB) has launched its annual Earth Month Energy Competition– a campus-wide initiative aimed at inspiring eco-friendly habits and reducing the university’s environmental footprint through more efficient energy use and reduction.
Earth Month is observed nationally every April as a time to raise environmental awareness, promote sustainable practices, and inspire action to protect our planet. The month culminates with Earth Day on April 22, a global celebration for environmental stewardship.
Throughout April, all CSUMB resident students are encouraged to reduce their electricity use. The residence hall that shows the greatest percentage reduction will be rewarded with an ice cream social.
Students are offered a range of suggestions to cut back on energy use. Tips include using natural sunlight instead of electric lighting, spending more time outside of dorm rooms to minimize energy consumption, and using natural ventilation by opening and closing windows rather than running fans. Students are also encouraged to hang dry clothes instead of using a dryer and to clean lint traps in drying machines.
Additional suggestions include adjusting devices to enter sleep mode after shorter periods of inactivity, bundling up in warm clothing and blankets instead of using space heaters, and being mindful of unplugging devices when not in use.
These and more energy-saving tips can be found in the Student Involvement Sustainability section of the CSUMB website. The resource provides students with tools to take simple, practical steps toward greener living.
CSUMB has a longstanding commitment to sustainability and is continually working towards a cleaner, more energy-conscious future. From hosting educational events to launching energy competitions, the university encourages the campus community to consider their impact on the environment and take daily actions that contribute to a healthier planet.
Participating in the Earth Month Energy Competition is one way students can make a difference. By reducing energy consumption and adopting sustainable habits, students not only contribute to a greener campus but also become part of a larger movement toward environmental responsibility.
