Power Down for the Planet Challenge

What's Happening

  • The Challenge has ended, but the power down efforts will continue!
  • Watch the Power Down for the Planet videos, be inspired, and share.
  • Power Down News: Universities Worldwide Challenged to Power Down for the Planet to Reduce CO2 Emissions (PDF) (doc)
  • Prize drawing winners have until April 24, 2009 to claim their gift cards.

 

The University of Michigan extended a friendly challenge to fellow universities to raise awareness about green computing. The school with the highest percentage of faculty, staff, and student pledges wins! We're fighting climate change, one computer at a time, by pledging to:

  • Enable power management on personal computers and laptops
  • Look for ENERGY STAR qualified PCs and laptops when purchasing new equipment

What we do

  • Present the issues of energy usage and consumption of natural resources through computing
  • Coach students, faculty, and staff to efficiently use computing resources
  • Effect change in the IT industry through university demand
  • Draw national attention to the importance of energy reduction in IT
  • Influence other universities to explore green computing initiatives

Pam FonsPam Fons, Team lead
Fons is excited about how the CSCI @ U-M will positively impact the environment. She believes Power Down for the Planet will inspire students, faculty, and staff to truly make a difference. Fons, assistant director of financials, in Information and Technology Services, worked for Michigan Administrative Information Services (MAIS) since the unit formed in 1998. Prior to the formation of MAIS, she was a member of the M-Pathways General Ledger implementation team.

Team Members

  • Tracy Artley, Waste Management Services
  • Roxy Block, Information and Technology Services
  • Faye Ogasawara, College of Engineering
  • MaryBeth Stuenkel, Information and Technology Services
  • Joan Witte, Information and Technology Services
  • Mark Bradley, College of Literature Science & Arts
  • Anne Laverty, College of Literature Science & Arts
  • Andy Pollens, College of Literature Science & Arts