Events and Outreach:
The Events and Outreach team addresses behaviour change at the collective level. Events and Outreach works to mobilize people to come together to works towards a common goal: a strong culture of sustainability. Collective action through events, contests and fundraisers unites individuals and builds a culture of sustainability.
By building strong communities that work together, we can move toward a more sustainable future!
Initiatives:
COLLABORATION WITH WORLD WILDLIFE FUND
The Events team has also run the Sweater Day and Earth Hour programming at UBC since 2011.
Sweater Day is a one-day national initiative to encourage Canadians to turn down their heat by 3 degrees and wear a sweater to symbolize their commitment! Check out the WWF video here. The 2012 Sweater Day will be on Feb. 9 and the Challenges team will be in the SUB to give away prizes to sweater-wearers, take pictures, and give away SWEATERS! Also, President Toope is posing for a Sweater Photo. Check out the Facebook event here.
Earth Hour is a one-hour global recognition of a need for climate action. On the last Saturday of March, people around the world turn off their lights from 8:30-9:30pm to symbolically show their support for action against climate change. At UBC, the Challenges team organizes an annual event to recognize this day. More info here.
FUN EVENTS TO PROMOTE SUSTAINABILITY ON CAMPUS
Anything from hikes, to bar nights, to social events focused on bringing sustainable culture and knowledge to the UBC student and staff body.
History of the Team:
Do It in the Dark first took place November 1st-19th 2010, through partnership with the Campus Sustainability Office and the Totem Park Residence Sustainability Committee. Totem Park was the only Canadian residence participating in the competition against 39 American colleges and universities. We finished in 2nd place! The Totem houses also took part in the inter-house competition which was won by Haida!
An energy monitoring system, complete with online dashboard gave real-time feedback on energy and water consumption in Totem Park.
From March 7th-26th, 2011 the Challenges team planned a similar competition in Place Vanier in conjunction with goBEYOND’s provincial competition between post-secondary campuses. Students living in residences on NINE campuses across competed to reduce their electrical energy consumption! These campuses included:
- University of Victoria
- University of British Columbia, Vancouver
- University of British Columbia, Okanagan
- Simon Fraser University
- University of Northern British Columbia
- Thomas Rivers University
- University of the Fraser Valley
- Vancouver Island University
- Okanagan College
