Green Fund Success #247 – Human Powered Gym
Posted by Jacob Bintliff
“The world’s largest human power plant” may evoke creepy images of The Matrix, but think again!
Last December, student leaders at Texas State University used funds from their Environmental Service Fee to turn 30 elliptical machines in the Student Rec Center into individual-sized power plants. Now students can go green while getting in shape!
A 30-minute workout generates enough electricity to power a light bulb
for over 2 hours and a computer for 30 minutes! Think about how many students work out every day on your campus…now do the math. The answer? A BUNCH of renewable energy, and that much less energy your campus will have to get from dirty old fossil fuel sources.
On top of that, the new program has provided a great leadership experience to at least one Texas State student. Blair Hartley, a recreation management grad student has been put in charge of the program. Yet another example of Green Funds providing students with hands-on, cutting-edge experience for the growing green-collar economy!
The energy and C02 savings and the leadership opportunity aren’t the only benefits, though. “It’s more about changing the mind-set of the 30,000-plus students on campus,” Hartley points out. That’s right, Green Fund projects can build environmental awareness in ways that your typical administrative project (e.g. revamping the heating & cooling system) just can’t.
Does this sound like something you want on your campus? Never fear, the Texas Green Fund campaign is here! If you’re a student on any of the campuses where Green Fund campaigns are currently underway you can make this a dream come true for you and your fellow students.
To see a full(er) list of successful Green Fund projects from across the US & Canada, check out this amazing list.
