STUDENTS of Swansea University are being encouraged to take part in the NUS Student Switch Off Campaign.

The national campaign, running at 54 universities across the UK, aims to reduce student energy consumption through energy-saving competitions held within halls of residence.

The campaign promotes four simple steps for students to follow; switching off lights and appliances after use, putting the lid on saucepans whilst cooking, adding another layer of clothing before putting the heating on and not overfilling the kettle.

Simon Wilde, the SUSU Environment Officer, said: “We are aiming it particularly at first years in halls of residence. There are two competitions and we are asking students to upload photos to facebook to win prizes.

“There will be also be a quiz (online) asking energy conservation questions later on in the term, with the accommodation block that fills out the most receiving 100 tubs of Ben and Jerry’s ice cream!”

The first competition ‘Don’t overfill your kettle’, is on November 15, when students are being asked to submit a “funky photo of you and your friends with the kettle” to www.facebook.com/swanseasso

The second competition, ‘Unplug appliances’ is on November 27.

Prizes, such as event tickets and NUS Extra Cards, will be awarded for the most liked photos on the facebook group.

In the last academic year, the national campaign achieved, on average, a 7% reduction in electricity usage across all participating halls of residence; keeping over 1,500 tonnes of CO2 out of the atmosphere.

Dr Neil Jennings, co-ordinator of the scheme said: “This campaign has helped reveal the responsible attitude the next generation of young adults have towards our environment.”

Students living in the Student Village, Woodside, East Campus and West Campus areas can get involved in the campaign via the ‘Swansea University Student Switch Off’ Facebook page.

•For more information, see studentswitchoff.org

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