The ripple effect: how one dorm room can affect a university's energy use

Abstract

This article looks at the Energy Star showcase dorm room at Tulane University. This project was a model for sustainable living created by a group of students and Tulane's environmental coordinator. The energy and climate change team furnished a dorm room on Tulane's campus with energy‐efficient appliances and electronics, and then gave tours of the room to educate the Tulane community about the potential greenhouse‐gas‐emissions reductions and financial benefits of being smart consumers. One student calculated how much energy the entire campus could save if every resident were to make wise energy choices. By combining education and outreach with a living model, the students were able to inform the entire Tulane community about their efforts and change some bad energy habits.