One of the Ecology & Environment team's goals is to explore ways to make Marianist facilities more energy efficient.  This not only includes schools, parishes and retreat centers, but the homes in which we live.  Energy efficiency (delivering the same services for less energy) reduces negative effects associated with burning fossil fuels - coal, oil and natural gas.  The less fossil-fuel energy we use, the fewer greenhouse gases we emit and the better our air quality.  While some energy efficiency strategies require an initial investment, they all more than pay for themselves in lower utility bills.  In fact, energy efficient solutions can lower residential and commercial energy bills by 20 to 30 percent (US EPA).

What's Happening? Team members Jack Somerville, Marilyn Schwieterman, Bill Hirt & Don Geiger visited the Environmental Studies Center at Oberlin University in June in their exploration of ideas to make Marianist facilities more sustainable.  The center is a model of environmentally sustainable design practices.  For an online tour, click here. The University of Dayton student Sustainability Club is working to reduce the energy consumed in class buildings, offices and residential properties.  They have conducted energy audits, sponsored an energy contest for students (students who lowered their energy bills got a refund!), and some members live in a model "eco-house" on campus.  Take Action for Energy Efficiency ENERGY STAR is a government-backed program helping businesses and individuals protect the environment through superior energy efficiency.  Visit Energy Star to research energy-efficient appliances, learn tips to make your house an Energy Star, read guidelines for business energy management, download educational resources and much, much more.   Last year alone, Americans, with the help of Energy Star, saved enough energy to power 20 million homes and avoid greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those from 18 million cars - all while saving $9 billion. The Marianist Environmental Education Center (MEEC) in Dayton, Ohio coordinates the Ohio Interfaith Climate and Energy Campaign, the oldest of 17 state campaigns coordinated by the National Council of Churches' Eco-Justice Working Group and the Coalition on the Environment & Jewish Life.  Sign up for e-mail action alerts on energy legislation, learn about events in your state and download resources at www.protectingcreation.org. The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy has a host of on-line consumer resources to help you save energy.  Select the most efficient appliances, download a check-list for action, or find our which automobiles are the greenest. Learn More The Union of Concerned Scientist's Clean Energy Campaign examines the benefits and costs of the country's energy use, and promote energy solutions that are sustainable both environmentally and economically.   Ecology & Environment Team Home