Healthy Habits

While my first official blog may not be the most refreshing topic it is something I’ve always felt strongly about-- environmental consciousness. For me, it’s a habit that has been drilled into my head since I was very little. Even as a kid my brothers and I were held responsible for the unnecessary lights that we left on in the house. Recycling was always practiced, and we were taught to use as little water as possible (although I still to this day challenge myself to take shorter showers). Growing up it was just routine and I rarely thought twice about it-- muscle memory more or less.

That is why I am a supporter of UNH's Energy Waste Watch Challenge. The Energy Challenge in a nutshell is a month-long competition between all the residence halls and apartments on campus to save the most water and electricity. With the help of the Housing Department and the Office of Sustainability, the amount of electricity and water used by each individual building is calculated. At the end of the competition the numbers are calculated again and the dorm with the highest percentage of waste reduction wins $300 for a pizza party, a trophy, and, of course, bragging rights. Each dorm is appointed an Energy Captain who is responsible for informing residents of helpful tips and reminders to reduce waste throughout the month of the challenge.

Cheesy? Yes. Logical? Yes.

While it seems like such a silly competition that is because it is. The real purpose of the Energy Challenge is to get residents to rethink the habits they have and ask them to form new, more eco-friendly ones. The thought of bearing a shorter shower for only a month isn't so bad if it means your dorm gets the funds for a free pizza party or ice cream social. The idea then is that after practicing things like shutting off the lights when leaving the room, taking shorter showers, and not letting water run when brushing your teeth for a whole month residents have formed new, more sustainable habits.

Effective? Yes.

The amount of waste reduced from the first Challenge back in 2006 was outstanding and the overall amount of money that UNH saved was in the thousands! Since then UNH has continued to have remarkable success. This just proves to me that it doesn't take a special person to care about the world we live in, it only takes a little practice forming new habits.