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Russell Considering “Green Cup Challenge 2.0” In Addition to “Water Challenge”

Andover has taken the lead over Exeter in the Green Cup Challenge with a drop in energy consumption of 1.69%, which translates to 15,666 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions. This drop has saved the school an average of 176,000 kilowatt hours per week during the winter. Exeter has increased its energy consumption by 2.46%. Andover, along with eight other schools, is also thinking about starting another phase of the GCC. Titled the “Green Cup Challenge 2.0,” the competition would begin in October, before students create habits harmful to the environment. Andover is also contemplating using Choate Rosemary Hall’s idea of a Water Challenge. Similar to the Green Cup Challenge, the Water Challenge raises awareness on how to reduce water consumption. Patricia Russell, Sustainability Coordinator and Head of the Department of Natural Sciences, is working on creating a web-based tool for each dorm to see how much wasite produces. This tool could measure waste per occupant, and could raise competition between dorms to reduce their use of electricity and waste. “We would love to hear what else students want to see,” said Russell. Michael Scognamiglio ’10 wants to see more student-made videos pertaining to the GCC, such as “Go Green or Go Home,” made by Michael Kontaxis ’11. Kelsey Phinney ’11 said, “I don’t see many ads for the GCC. More advertising would be a simple way to create more awareness.” In order to raise awareness for both the GCC and other environmental issues, School President Faiyad Ahmad ’10, and Vice President Billy Fowkes ’10, have created a subcommittee of Student Council dedicated to reducing waste. In addition to the Student Council, campus organizations such as Eco-Action and ERAC are also working to create ways students can reduce waste. “Students need a periodic reminder [in order to reduce waste], and the Green Cup Challenge provides perfectly,” said Russell. Through the GCC, Andover has also attempted to reduce the amount of food wasted, also known as ort, in Paresky Commons. While energy consumption has steadily decreased, the amount of ort has increased from 2 tons in October to 2.4 tons in January. Student activists at the Lawrenceville School, Phillips Exeter Academy and Northfield Mount Hermon founded the GCC to raise awareness about electricity consumption. The school that most successfully reduces their energy waste will win the competition. Andover is one of the 200 schools partaking in GCC. Last year, Andover dropped its energy consumption by three percent. The greater decline last year can be accounted for because of the move from Uncommons to Commons. Russell feels that taking facility changes out of the picture will give a more realistic picture the effectiveness of Andover’s energy reduction efforts.