- January 8, 2020–January 27, 2020
Kill-a-watt is a residence hall-wide sustainability competition and education program during the month of January. This initiative of Calvin College seeks to be a fulfillment of its vision to be "caretakers of creation and agents of renewal for creation in our daily lives and as a collective community."
See who's winning: Kill-a-Watt point standings
Ways to get involved
DREAM certify your room
What: DREAM stands for Dorm Room Environmental Awareness Movement, and is a certification based on the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED certification for residential and commercial spaces.
Why: This survey will help you identify ways to reduce resources used by your room and by your daily practices. It also will win a button for your backpack and contribute points towards your dorm.
(Note: survey must be completed before 11:59 p.m. of January 26)
Sign up for Lifestyle Challenges
What: The new year is a prime time to make improvements to how we live our lives, sign up to try out a new sustainable habit for Interim.
Why: Lessen your impact on the planet, make a positive difference in the lives of others, and live out our calling to take care of God's creation... and of course, score big points for your dorm!
(Note: survey must be completed before 11:59 p.m. of Tues January 14)
Recruit faculty/staff and upperclass students for Lifestyle Challenges
What: Send this link to any faculty/staff members or upperclassmen (junior/senior) friends who would like to join your hall’s team.
Why: Faculty/staff points count double for your hall!
(Note: survey must be completed before 11:59 p.m. of Tues January 14)
Conserve Energy
What: Make the effort this January to shut off lights, unplug unneeded appliances, and use the stairs instead of the elevator.
Why: Saving electricity is a great way to live within our planet’s means and reduce the amount of carbon we release into the atmosphere.
Attend Kill-a-Watt events
What: A variety of great events will be happening all over campus throughout the month of January, focused on the theme of sustainability. See the list below and look for events being planned in your own dorm.
Why: Each event that you attend will not only allow you to engage with new and important ideas, but will also add points to your dorm's tally!
Kill-a-Watt events
January Series—Sandra Postel’s Replenish: The Virtuous Cycle of Water and Prosperity
Fri Jan 10, 12:30 p.m. | CFAC Auditorium
Sandra Postel, a leading authority and prolific author on global water issues, will be coming to speak on her “inspiring, innovative and practical approach” to promoting the preservation and sustainable use of freshwater. She directs the independent Global Water Policy Project, based in New Mexico, and is the co-creator of Change the Course, a national water stewardship initiative which brings together the public, the business community, and on-the-ground conservation organizations to transform the way society uses, manages, and values freshwater. A Pew Scholar in Conservation and the Environment and a Fellow of the Post Carbon Institute, Sandra has been named one of the Scientific American 50. She appears in the BBC’s Planet Earth and Leonardo DiCaprio’s The 11th Hour.
Chapel: Unplugged
Tues Jan 14, 10 a.m. | Chapel
Our God is not only the God of Humanity, but also the Lord of all Creation. Our relationship with the world is therefore an important aspect of our relationship with God. Join us as we worship by candle light and hear from professors who have been changed by the changing Earth
Mending Workshop
Wed., Jan 15, 7 p.m. | Alumni Board Room
Join us for an evening of learning the valuable skill of mending one’s clothing! It is all too easy for us to not think about the effects of out clothing consumption habits, but our attitude towards clothing is a vital aspect of how we live out our calling of stewardship. Unfortunately, most of the clothes we buy today wear out easily, and many of us never learned how to fix these small signs of wear and tear. This event will provide all who attend with an overview of basic mending techniques--so bring your favorite sweater with a hole in it or those pants that are almost worn through and get mending!
DCM film: “Chasing Coral”
Wed Jan 22, 8:45 a.m. & 2:15 p.m. | CFAC Recital Hall Come and watch a Netflix documentary about how we may be the last generation to see living coral reefs. “Chasing Coral” is a documentary exploring the impact of climate change on some of the most mysterious, beautiful, and biodiverse ecosystems on the planet. Sustainability Coordinators will lead a short discussion afterwards.
For more information—chasingcoral.com
Winter Hike
Mon Jan 20, 2 p.m. | Bunker Interpretive Center
Come and enjoy the winter wonderland through a guided nature walk through Calvin’s very own Nature Preserve. This will be an hour-long walk guided by Jeanette Henderson, Program Manager of the preserve. Not only will it be a time to explore and appreciate the beauty of our world in winter, it will also be a wonderful opportunity to get points for your dorm and see what the preserve has to offer! The adventure will begin inside of the Bunker Interpretive Center. You get points for every member from your dorm that attends, and this event is double points! So get your squad together and head on over.
Kill-a-Watt Finale
Mon Jan 27, 7:30–9 p.m. | Johnny’s
Join us for the FINAL Kill-a-Watt event featuring a clothing swap, Do-It-Yourself activities, poetry open mic, and much more. You won’t want to miss it! Be at Johnny’s to celebrate your Kill-A-Watt success this interim! The night will end with announcing the 2019 Kill-A-Watt champions and presentation of the Trophy of Sustainability.
Creation Care Bible study & dorm worship
Happening all throughout Kill-a-Watt.
Gain a deeper understanding of our calling to be caretakers of creation as mandated in the Bible. Talk to your floor Barnabas for details.
Why do we care for creation?
- Creation is good. Genesis tells us that when God created the world He didn’t make it instantly, with the snap of a finger or a single word, but that He crafted it bit by bit, declaring it “good” at every stage of its development.
- It’s our responsibility to be good stewards. The first commission God gave Adam was to tend the garden and take care of it. (Gen 2:15) The Bible has many verses commanding good stewardship of resources (time, money, talents, land, etc.).
- To care about the poor and oppressed. Many major environmental problems, like air & water pollution and scarcity of land, food & energy resources hit the poor the hardest. Many lower-income communities in the U.S. lack access to nutritious food, lead-free homes, and clean air & water. (Mt. 25:37-40 & almost 100 other verses)
- To be a part of God’s restoring of all things. Rev. 21:5 says, “Behold I am making all things new.” Notice, it doesn’t say “I am making all new things.” This creation is destined for restoration and we are called to be part of that process because of Jesus’ sacrifice. Christ died to reconcile all of creation to God (Col. 1:20)
- To avoid gluttony & selfishness. The U.S. emits about twice the amount of carbon as Europe, and five times as much as China, per capita. Americans, only 4.4% of the world’s populations, consume 1/4 of the world’s resources. Our lifestyles are contributing to this problem. Excessive preoccupation with material goods & consumerist habits hinder our walk with God.
- It feels right & good. Caring for all of creation can provide a Christian with the deepest sense of joy & contentment since it is part of loving God.
