Blackout returns for a fourth year
Try not to walk into any walls.
For a fourth year running the University of Southampton is to be plunged in to environmentally friendly darkness.
On Friday 13th November, over 250 students and staff members will come together to take part in this year’s ‘Switch Off’ event.
Blackout is a sustainability initiative organised by the University and the Students union to help raise awareness about energy wastage on campus.
On the night, students and staff audit and switch off computers, lights and other equipment that is unnecessary left on and then measure the impact on our electricity usage. This, in turn, reveals the significant financial and environmental impact of collective small actions on campus.
And the results are indeed significant. By turning off our computers and other unnecessary electrical items, the University could save over £200,000 a year. In time, these everyday actions will help to meet our 20% carbon reduction target by 2020.
Last year, over 250 students and staff participated and saved over £1,600, enough money to power 5 family homes for a year.
They also got free pizza for their efforts, in case you needed further convincing.
More information will be released soon on how to sign up and get involved. However, you can of course be involved by switching of electrical equipment, not just on Blackout, but every night.
You can also keep track of things by liking the University of Southampton’s Sustainability page on Facebook.