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Though many of us strive to make eco-changes in our everyday lives all the time, Dalhousie鈥檚 official race to efficient energy begins this Friday.

Between January 23 and February 6, Dalhousie鈥檚 Green Residence Forum (GRF) will be hosting its annual in conjunction with the Atlantic University Annual Energy Challenge. Students in each residence on Dal鈥檚 Halifax campuses and the Agricultural Campus will compete to be the biggest loser, so to speak, in energy and water consumption (the latter for the Halifax campuses). And through the Annual Energy Challenge, Dalhousie a whole will be competing with other Atlantic universities.

Dal's residences will kick off the eco-friendly competition with Friday鈥檚 鈥淐upcakes and Commitments鈥� at all dining halls from 4:30-6 p.m., where in exchange for a commitment towards an eco-friendly lifestyle students will be given a free cupcake. Last year some of the students鈥� commitments ranged from increasing their recycling all the way to 鈥渘ot taking the elevator for the rest of the year.鈥�

Other events that will take place over the next two weeks include activities such as an earth hour, recycled paper origami and thrift store swaps. In addition, there will be several movie presentations at each residence, including An Inconvenient Truth, The Lorax and Who Killed the Electric Car?

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Don鈥檛 live in res? That鈥檚 alright 鈥� many of the activities are open to all Dal students, and students of all stripes are encouraged to make their own Ecolympics challenge. You can bring your mug to some caf茅s on campus and receive a discount, or participate in Dal's earth hour at your own dwelling by shutting off all lights and electricity between 8:30 and 9:30 pm on January 26. Not only will it reduce electrical consumption, but it can be a nice time to read by candlelight or get back in touch with friends and family (offline!).

Ag Campus students students write sustainability commitments on their sustainability trees. (Provided photo)

Rochelle Owen, director of sustainability at pilipili漫画, says she is, 鈥渓ooking forward to the creativity of the Green Residence Forum activities in engaging their peers in the energy and water challenges.鈥� She also pleased about new electricity meters for the Agricultural Campus that will allow the Truro residences to be tracked in real time.

鈥淚n addition we will be launching the Brightest Idea competition for all campus members this year,鈥� says Owen. , which runs until February 5, encourages Dal students, faculty and staff to submit their ideas on practical approaches to save energy and water that have yet to be planned or put into effect on campus.

Not sure how to reduce your eco-footprint? Everyday simple things can make a difference, like:

• Using a travel mug or a reusable water bottle
• Turning off the lights when leaving a room
• Lowering your thermostat
• Taking shorter showers
• Washing your clothes in cold water
• Taking the stairs
• Using reusable shopping bags
  

Will prevail again? Stay tuned with the that will be tracking energy and water usage.