U of G Successfully Takes on Commuter Challenge
June 20, 2008 - Campus Bulletin
The University of Guelph had the highest participation rate in the city in the Commuter Challenge, with close to 180 staff, faculty and students finding sustainable modes of transportation to and from campus.
The Commuter Challenge was a national week-long event from June 1 to 7 aimed at reducing the number of single-occupancy vehicles driven to work each day by encouraging people to find green ways of commuting.
"I am very impressed with the showing that the University of Guelph has made in this year's Commuter Challenge," said student organizer Tyler Demers. "With 177 participants, we were responsible for 49 per cent of the city's total participation and about half of the total kilometres reduced city wide."
U of G participants managed to reduce 2.51 metric tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions and travel 9,390 kilometres using sustainable modes of transportation during this year's campaign.
Overall, the city, which had a total of 362 participants from 31 local organizations, managed to reduce 5.4 metric tonnes of emissions and travel 21,120 km using sustainable modes of transportation.
This was the fourth year U of G was involved in the event.
The University will be handing out prizes to individual participants. This year's grand prize is a manual lawnmower. Other prizes include a Gryphon prize pack, gift cards and items from Hospitality Services and the Central Student Association, and bicycle safety kits from Speed River Bicycle.
Prizes will be awarded at an appreciation reception June 24 at 12:30 p.m. in Room 103 of the University Centre. All U of G participants are invited to attend.
The city will also be awarding prizes to the organization with the highest participation rate, the most number of sustainable kilometres travelled and the greatest reduction in emissions.
Last year the University received top awards for the most emissions reduced and most kilometres travelled by a sustainable mode of transportation.
