Minnesota Schools Cutting Carbon

In a recent Duluth News Tribune article, UMD recognizes the importance of being a model energy user not only for its students, but for the entire community. Junior undergraduate student, Stacy Gerths, who was interviewed for the article, reminds us that solving the climate crisis will require a steadfast commitment to change the way we go about our daily lives.

Last month, University of Minnesota Duluth students replaced holiday lights in the school’s Ordean Court, an effort that required them to screw in 50,000 new LED light bulbs that use about 90% less energy than traditional bulbs.

Also at UMD, four new outdoor solar-powered trash compactors were placed around campus earlier this year. They crush trash so containers need to be emptied less often. There also are solar panels on top of the football stadium, and this winter, campus officials turned down the thermostat to 68 degrees! Officials have even asked staff to stay home during the Dec. 24-Jan. 4 break. so they can shut down as many departments as possible to save energy!

Also mentioned in the article are: Hibbing Community College, Aitkin High School, and Proctor Schools.