Switch Off Week - Day 4

It's Thermal Thursday and we have had a few entries to the sweater competition - you can see the photos on the scrolling screens. We'd have liked a few more, but even if dressing up in a daft sweater or a Darth Vader onesie (well done Philip!) isn't your thing you can still contribute to the effort by turning your heating down a notch or two. Heat yourself, not the planet!

Tomorrow is the Bake Sale for Children in Need. All contributions will be gratefully received, and the buying opens at 12 noon on the first floor of the RFB. Come and fill yourselves with good things and give your money to a wonderful cause at the same time. 

Switch Off Week - Day 3

Here in the RFB today we are getting ready for Thermal Thursday:

Wear your craziest jumper and come along to the Faculty Office (room 121) for a photo call and a thankyou gift. There will be a top prize for the best entry, plus runner-up and special prizes. We haven't even decided what will earn a special prize yet, so come along and surprise us!

There is lots going on around the University today. The Energy Bike Challenge is at Chemistry from 9 - 4.30, and Green World Rising screenings also at Chemistry and the Clinical School from 1 - 2pm. More details about these and other events are here: http://www.environment.admin.cam.ac.uk/switch-off-week/events

A quick reminder also that Friday is Children in Need day and we'll be holding our customary cake sale in the first floor foyer from 12 noon until the cakes are all gone! The plan is to sell everything at either 50p or £1 and every penny will go to Children in Need.

Switch Off Week - Day 2

Many thanks to everyone who came and made a pledge yesterday. 44 brave souls allowed us to take their photos - take a look at them on the scrolling screens around the RFB.

The DiCaprio film was disappointingly sparsely attended at lunchtime today but it is very well worth seeing so we'll be making other opportunities available. Watch this space….

Here's what's going on around the University today:

Today’s events

Touring Switch Off Week Roadshow

Downing Site Quad, 9 – 3pm

After yesterday’s successful day at the University Library, the Switch Off Week Roadshow is back. Find us under the large marquee in the Downing Site quad for pedal powered fun, competitions and prizes as well as to find out how you can make a difference to the University £16 million energy bill.

Catch us there before 3pm!

Next stop: Wednesday 12 November at Department of Chemistry 9.00 – 14.30.

Solar powered car

Judge Business School, 12.45-13.45

Cambridge’s very own Eco Racing team will be exhibiting their solar powered car at the Judge Business School from 12pm until 4pm on Tuesday and will give a talk from 12.45 – 13.45 about their internationally-racing solar powered car, the World Solar Challenge and why it is all worth it!

'Keeping the lights on – how to address the UK’s looming power shortage', Chris Goodall

Mill Lane Lecture Theatres, Room 3, 18.00–19.00

Chris Goodall is a Guardian columnist, and energy blogger is coming to Cambridge to talk about ‘Keeping the lights on’. The prospect of power cuts in the UK is becoming increasingly real as the forecasts for spare electricity capacity in the UK are getting ever more dire. So how should we act to address this - do we switch off, switch equipment or even switch energy sources? This talk will explore why electricity is under such pressure, and what tools we in the UK – both as individuals and collectively – have at our disposal to address the gap.

And finally, are you ready for Thermal Thursday? Turn down the heating, wear a crazy jumper and have your photo taken in the Faculty Office for a small reward and the chance of a prize.

Good morning RFB, and welcome to day 1 of Switch Off Week.

Please take a moment to look at the display boards in the main entrance lobby. There are lots of facts and figures about how everyone can help with the effort, plus graphs to show you how our energy consumption is reducing in the building. Even better, you can make a pledge to do your bit - it could be to always print double-sided, or to recycle every single thing you possibly can. Or maybe you could bring in a re-fillable water bottle instead of using a plastic cup? Make your pledge, have your photograph taken and get a little reward for your commitment.

Here are today's events around the University:

Touring Switch Off Week Roadshow
 
Head over to the University Library before 2.30 to grab some green goodies and  have a go on the energy bike and use your own pedal power to start up bits of kit. The Environment and Energy Section will be on hand to give advice on energy saving and let you know what the University is up to!
 
Next stop: Tuesday 11 November @ Downing Site Quad 8.30am – 3pm.
 
Cambridge University Eco Racing (CUER)'s solar-powered car
 
Eco Racing will be exhibiting their solar-powered car at the Judge Business School from 12pm – 4pm. Head over to say hello, have a guided tour of the car and find out more about the World Solar Challenge, the world’s foremost solar endurance race, held in Australia. 
 
Dark Skies Stargazing at Astronomy
 
Join us on Monday evening for mulled wine, hot chocolate, cookies and a look at the stars to celebrate a Switch Off blackout.
If it's clear weather: we will enjoy guided stargazing outside with a selection of telescopes, followed by a screening of 'Sky at Night' filmed in Cambridge.
If it is cloudy: we will be treated to a talk by Dr Carolin Crawford, followed by a screening of the Cambridge episode of 'Sky at Night'.
 
This is a free ticketed event, sign up online: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/dark-skies-stargazingastronomy-event-swit...
 
And finally, here is a message from the Vice Chancellor:

Dear all,
 
The University of Cambridge spends £1,825 every hour on energy. Switch Off Week, running from 10-16 November, gives us all an opportunity to think about how we can help reduce the University’s energy consumption. Reducing our energy bill does not mean we reduce our research or teaching capability.
 
There are events happening throughout the week, including a stargazing evening, talks, a bike-powered cinema and a Switch Off Week Roadshow, where you could try out the energy bike. To find out what’s happening near you and to watch the Switch Off Week video, visit www.environment.admin.cam.ac.uk/switch-off-week.
 
Please join us in switching off lights, and office and laboratory equipment when not needed, and let’s see how much we can save. Simple changes, made by enough people, can have a long and lasting impact.
 
With thanks,
 
Leszek Borysiewicz
Vice Chancellor
University of Cambridge

Keep an eye on the website every day this week for information about other events in the RFB and around the University. And please, get switching off those lights and equipment that you aren’t using. 

Read more about Green Matters at the Faculty of Modern and Medieval Languages here.

There is a daily schedule of events going on right across the University here.