As a project for EVPP 480: Sustainability in Action, a group of 3 Mason undergraduate students created a survey to determine student understanding of energy usage impacts while attempting to increase education & awareness of renewable energy. A petition was also distributed to collect tangible evidence of student support for more renewable energy projects on George Mason, Fairfax campus.

1. Students Ready for More Renewable Energy Projects at
George Mason University, Fairfax Campus
Presented by Michelle Stinson, Contributing members: Blakeley Edwards & Alex Kirchner
Environmental Sustainable Studies, George Mason University
Abstract As a project for EVPP 480:
Results
Methodology: Survey
1. Environmental impacts of energy use
- 55% aware daily electricity use produces climate changing emissions,
44.5% unaware
- 90% aware of standby power (i.e., energy used when device is off but still
plugged in)
- Only 36% aware standby power could account for ten-percent of annual
residential energy usage (Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory)
2. Renewable Energy Education
- Which are sources of renewable energy:
* 90&-Solar & Wind, 75%-Hydropower, 54%-Geothermal
* 20% of respondents believed natural gas was a renewable
energy option
* Less than 4% believed oil or coal was a source of renewable
energy
- 90% more knowledgeable about renewable energy after taking survey
3. Opinions on separating rent & utility charges in dorms to reflect energy usage
- 33% -“No, do not change charging policy”
- 29% -“Yes, change charging policy”
- Most students said they would need to save >$100 for incentive
4. Opinions on renewable energy potential on campus
- 93.3% support more funding for renewable energy projects
- Energy-saving action motivation: 79.4% by environmentalism, 63.8% by
money, 39.3% by upbringing, & 23.6% by morals or religion
Sustainability in Action, a group of 3
Mason undergraduate students
created a survey to determine student
understanding of energy usage impacts
while attempting to increase education
& awareness of renewable energy. A
petition was also distributed to collect
tangible evidence of student support
for more renewable energy projects on
George Mason, Fairfax campus.
Focus: Mason students' understanding
of energy usage impacts & renewable
energy.
1. Environmental impacts of energy use
2. Renewable energy education
3. Opinions on separating rent & utility
charges in dorms to reflect energy
usage
4. Opinions on renewable energy
potential
on campus
Delivery: 23 questions via Survey
Monkey, April 1-30, 2013
Recruitment: Mason-affiliated groups
via Facebook, Twitter, Reddit
Response & Reward: 326 valid
responses; prizes to random winners
Discussion
Methodology: Petition
Decree: “We, the undergraduate & graduate
students of George Mason University, Fairfax
Campus sign our name to show support for &
petition the Office of Sustainability & George
Mason Facilities to fund more renewable energy
projects on campus.”
Collection: Request at the end of the survey for
student to sign name to the petition.
Response: 200 valid names & G#s were
collected. 61% of survey respondents signed.
Delivered to the Office of Sustainability & Mason
Facilities to show support of students for
renewable energy projects.
Acknowledgements: M. Lo & D. Wyman, Office of
Sustainability; P. Buchanan, Mason Facilities-Energy
Manager; Dr. D. Sklarew & A. Richards, Sustainability in
Action; A. Wingfield, Environmental Sustainable Studies; All
326 participating Mason students.
1. Environmental impacts of energy use
a. Almost half unaware of daily energy actions effect on producing climatechanging emissions
i. Could be a result of education in school or upbringing?
b. Majority aware of standby power
i. Could be a result of recent campaigns?
ii. Some new smart phones display a message telling user to “unplug charger when
not in use to conserve energy.”
c. Survey was successful in creating awareness of how much standby power can
affect annually energy usage
2. Renewable Energy Education
a. Natural gas as a renewable energy fallacy exposed- lack of education?
3. Opinions on separating rent & utility charges in dorms to reflect energy usage
a. The monetary incentive threshold for behavioral change is too high so not a
feasible change
4. Opinions on renewable energy potential on campus
a. With 93% support & 78% being willing to pay more for renewables, this gives
Facilities the ability to work more renewable energy into future electricity plans,
despite cost increase.
b. Most are motivated to save energy through environmentalism over monetary
incentives. This is crucial for the Office of Sustainability in their effort to push for more
renewable energy projects.
References: Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. Frequently asked questions: Standby power. Retrieved from http://standby.lbl.gov/faq.html