By Jennifer Kirksey Smith
As part of the ongoing effort to educate students about energy conservation, Ohio University will present Energy Week, Oct. 7 to 9.
In a Web-based survey last May, 93 percent of Ohio University students agreed that the University should conserve energy and 88 percent said they should personally help. While students agreed saving energy was important, the survey showed not everyone knows how to do it.
Energy Week is an effort to change that. Renowned forest protection activist Julia Butterfly Hill, who lived in an ancient redwood tree for 738 days to protect it and the forest around it from logging, will be the closing speaker on Oct. 9. After her speech, Julia will autograph her new book, "One Makes the Difference."
Other featured speakers include Ocean Robbins, founder of Youth for Environmental Sanity (known as YES!), on Oct. 7 and David Orr of Oberlin College on Oct. 8. The week's events will also include an energy street fair and an alternative-fuel vehicle show.
Throughout the year, people will have the opportunity to see conservation in action in three Energy Star Showcase Dorm Rooms outfitted with energy-efficient products. Students live in the rooms, which will be monitored for the amount of energy saved and be open to tours. Arrange a tour with Andy Sinozich at (740) 593-0026.
