What are some ideas to make a university campus more energy-efficient?

Question

I'm interested in specific low-cost solutions to reduce energy-consumption and make my university campus "greener".

So far, I've got:

- reducing fuels wasted by trucks importing various foods sold at eateries around campus by buying local produce or even growing vegetation on campus

- eliminate shuttle buses and replace with hybrid buses with cost offset by increasing parking price for those who drive fuel-efficient cars.

Are there any other good ideas?

Any help is much appreciated. Thanks in advance!

Answer 1

There is no such thing as a hybrid-bus, and replacing campus buses would definitely not be a low-cost solution.  Not to mention, you would have to dispose of the current fleet of buses.

Have on-campus residents facing South close their blinds to save energy

Answer 2

Recycle the blowhard profs! (Sorry but I couldn't resist.)

Amore serious answer would be turn down the air conditioning in the summer and the heating in the winter.

Answer 3

Well, in my college, we're only using bio-diesel, natural gas, and electricity as power sources for our buses, cars etc. We use florescent lighting, have a new program where we convert the energy of plants into energy (we have grass growing on our roofs, and its being converted into energy to power buildings) Have recycling programs, where students go out into the campus and their neighborhoods and collect bottles, garbage on the street etc.

Answer 4

Try to get the cafeteria to buy produce and other food locally and with as little packaging as possible.  Bicycles for students. (they only cost like $80 if you get a good deal.)  CFL bulbs or LED's.

Answer 5

Ban televisions, and block all non academic external websites in the proxy server.  Turn all thermostats down to 65 in the winter and up to 80 in the summer.