By Melissa Mello

In most cases, when we speak of progress, we describe it as taking steps forward, but not this time. Instead, Worcester Academy is taking care to retrace its path, and reduce its carbon footprints. By Signing the Green Schools Climate Commitment last fall, our campus pledged to achieve carbon neutrality by 2020. In order to meet this goal we must secure renewable energy sources, improve and implement the best operational and cultural conservation and efficacy practices, and purchase carbon-credits. Competing with over 150 schools in the regional Green Cup Challenge, our campus has been trying to take these necessary actions in order to decrease energy use by 20%. Last year, when there were only 30 schools competing, Worcester Academy succeeded in reducing the campus energy level by 9.8%, taking 15th place in the competition.
We are definitely on the right track, however, everyone on campus needs to make a mutual effort and commit to the pledge. In the first GCC, students worked with their advisors to come up with a checklist of steps to take: turning off unnecessary lights, and computers, and closing or opening windows to regulate heat. Other efforts included recycling, composting leftover food, and using reusable dining materials. Each student volunteered to complete one of these tasks. For many students there was no problem with this process, on the other hand, some students did not want to give up their free time. In reality these tasks, like turning off lights, take only ten or fifteen minutes. Is that too much to ask? Surprisingly yes, there is a considerable amount of students who feel the GCC is just a waste of time, and many are dreading the second GCC that is on the way. The resistance is keeping Worcester Academy from reaching the 20% goal and future carbon neutrality.
The Green Cup Challenge action steps are not mandatory; they serve as an opportunity for the Worcester Academy community to adapt to the world’s changing environment. It is difficult to change one’s daily routine, and incorporate more environmentally friendly habits, but should we let that stop us? Michael Carroll, an advocate for the sustainability of our campus believes the “One question that will continue to demand contemplation is what and how long it takes for [environmental] values to become internalized and part of habit”. The individuals responsible for our electricity reduction of 10% have already adapted and implemented the “green routine”. Mr. Carroll adds, “Habits come easy for those who clearly see the moral dimension in using natural light, avoiding bottled water or taking only what you can eat in the dining hall.”
Maybe if students understood the significance of this environmental approach, they would become more involved. Between 2006 and 2007 alone Worcester Academy emitted 8,907,659 pounds of carbon dioxide. The Green Cup Challenge provides a launching pad for schools like ours to reduce carbon emissions and in the long run put an end to global warming. The Green Cup Challenge is new to us, it started in January 2008, but its time to get familiar with the steps and get down to business. There are many flyers around campus, pointing out the most important initiatives, but Mr. Carroll has broken them down even further, giving us three main steps; “1. Turn off lights, 2. Unplug items not in direct use, and 3. If you are plugged in, make sure you are making the most of it”. Can it get any easier that that? Possibly, but let’s get our super fans to cheer us on. Let’s beat those other schools in this year’s GCC, and let’s keep removing our carbon footprints.