GREEN STUDENT GUIDE
Be a great student, be a green student
TOP 10 things YOU can do to reduce your carbon footprint:
1. TRANSPORT: walk, cycle, use public transport, carpool, drive slower
2. ELECTRICITY AND HEAT: turn off lights when not in use, use CFL
low energy bulbs, turn down heat, turn appliances off and plug out (not
Did you know? Ireland
is the most cardependent country in
the world!!
standby or screensaver), reduce amount of printing, only boil amount of water required in kettle
3. ENERGY ON CAMPUS: ask services manager on campus what are the aims for reducing energy
consumption, what is the current energy supply (e.g. percentage electricity coming from
renewables), and lobby campus authorities for more on-site renewable energy e.g. solar thermal
heating
4. WASHING: use the washing machine/dishwasher with full loads on economy cycle, hang clothes to
dry, use eco-friendly detergents and washing-up liquid, limit water use when washing dishes etc.
5. FOOD: buy products with as little packaging as possible, buy local produce at local markets (Dublin
Food Co-op is great and cheap!), try buy Fair Trade and organic, make your own lunch to prevent
packaging waste (usually healthier too!)
6. DRINK: carry around a reusable water bottle/thermo, use a reusable coffee
cup (you can get very cool ones!)
7. SHOPPING: bring your own bag shopping, refuse plastic and paper ones, buy
clothes in second hand shops (lots of great ones around George’s Street and Temple Bar), recycle
old clothes in clothes banks/charity shops
8. PRESENTS: give gifts that can be experienced, like tickets to a concert, gift vouchers for
restaurants, for a massage etc.
9. FOSSIL FUEL INVESTMENT: enquire at college, your bank and your work where they have
investments – if unethical, such as investment in fossil fuel companies, lobby them to divest, or
switch to an ethical provider. More about divestment campaigns to come from Young Friends of the
Earth….keep track!
10. INVOLVEMENT: join the Environmental Society and Green Campus Committee and get involved
with Young Friends of the Earth.