- January 16, 2024–February 2, 2024
Kill-a-watt is a residence hall-wide sustainability competition and education program during the month of January. This initiative of Calvin University 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."
2024 Winner: KHvR
It was a close year! See below for some details and highlights.
It was a close call! BHT was holding in there till the last second, but KHvR saved a ton of power and did great on the lifestyle challenges. Nice job, KHvR! Next year, BHT!
Most improved: BV going from negative points last year to third place this year. Awesome!!!
A good showing by everyone though—we were impressed across the board. And if you weren't, there's always next year!
See what happened in this year's Kill-A-Watt
Ways to get involved
Sign up for Lifestyle Challenges
Try some small changes in how you live for the month of January. It’s a great way to build sustainable habits—and if you don’t like it the things you choose, you can always stop at the end of the month!
You can select any number of challenges. Do enough, and you can win a prize in your dorm lobby—and points that count towards your dorm’s victory!
(Note: survey opens Tues. Jan. 16 and must be completed by the end of of Mon, January 22)
Conserve Energy
Make an effort to save power by turning off lights, unplugging extra devices, and taking the stairs instead of the elevator (looking at you, KHvR and BHT!)
Saving electricity is a great way to cut down on your environmental impact—and in general, there's no reason to have devices on when you’re not using them anyway! On top of that, we’ll be monitoring the meters to see which dorm cuts their power usage the most over the month.
Attend Kill-a-Watt events
There are a bunch of awesome Kill-A-Watt events (see below) led by the Sustainability Coordinators. Ranging from workshops to lectures, they’re a great way to learn a little more about what you can do.
Each event you attend is a good way to get involved and win some points for your dorm.
Kill-a-Watt events
Bike Workshop
Mon Jan 22, 4:30 p.m. | Gear Cage (By Indoor Track)
Commuting and travelling by bike is a great way to cut down on both pollution and the money you spend on gas—and it keeps you in great shape! Join the SCs and Calvin Outdoor rec if you need any repairs on your bike
Chapel: Sustainability and Faith
Tue Jan 23, 9:50 a.m. | Chapel
Our omnipresent God rules over both us and the universe we live in. Join us for chapel as we talk about the Christian aspects of sustainability by celebrating creation, mourning the fall’s impact on the world, and looking forward to the day when God will restore the world.
Documentary Showing
Wed Jan 24, 6:00 | Virtual/Off Campus
For anyone interested, local organizations in Grand Rapids are holding a showing of a new documentary in downtown Grand Rapids.
Mending Workshop
Thu Jan 25, 4:00 p.m. | Design Hub
Have clothes that need repair or are just plain old boring? Show up to get some sewing and mending basics that will let you keep using a favorite piece of clothing and add a personal touch to it.
Movie Night
Fri Jan 26, 7:00 | Recital Hall
Come join the SCs for an awesome sustainability-related movie!
Sustainability Forum
Tue Jan 30, 7:00 p.m. | CA-214
Calvin cares about sustainability as an institution in large part because the students have spoken up and made it clear that sustainability is important to us. Join us at a sustainability forum to ask questions and make suggestions about Calvin's sustainability policies.
Terrarium Building Workshop
Wed Jan 31, 12:00 p.m. | Bunker Center Lab
Terrariums are an awesome way to enjoy nature indoors, even in the middle of winter. Join us in an event where we build terrariums! Most materials are provided, but bring your own container
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.).
- The climate change affects people directly. Increasingly severe storms, wildfires, and droughts result in the death of people made in God’s image. Climate change impacts the poor in especially severe ways. God has called us to care for people impoverished and weak just as he cares for us (Matt. 25:40).
- 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. has among the highest carbon emissions per person in the world. Per person, our emissions are around twice those of Germany and China and over 20 times as much as some African nations. Our lifestyles are contributing to this problem. Excessive preoccupation with material goods despite the Bible’s many warnings against greed hinders our walk with God.
