15 December to 22 December

'Switching off': an ethical imperative?

On Friday 21st November the University asked staff to make a special effort to switch off electrical equipment at the end of the day. This was part of the 'Big Switch Off' campaign, in which we are joining up with Leeds City Council, to investigate the way we use off-peak electricity. In October 2008:

• We used 735,438 kWh electricity at Civic Quarter and 625,235 kWh at Headingley.

• 997 personal computers were switched on all the time and 37% of personal computers on campus were left switched on overnight. (These figures cover all sites).

A Desktop Power Management trial is underway in our Libraries, and has demonstrated that the potential energy saving gained by automatically switching off PCs could be as high as 80%. In due course this approach to energy saving will be rolled out across the university.

Leaving electrical equipment switched on when it is not in use wastes energy, contributes to our carbon footprint, heats up the planet and costs us money. Of course, as a university, we want to use money wisely. However, as a university with 'green' intentions, we also want to do what we can to counter human-induced climate change. 'Switching off' helps.

Carole Birtwhistle, Environmental Officer and Gavin Fairbairn, Running Stream Professor of Ethics and Language, School of Applied Global Ethics