One laptop on a desk behind me was running a screensaver, and I use it once or twice a week... turned it off and unplugged it.

What is EarthCARE? Energy costs for a school board can be roughly attributed 70% to the building systems (heating, lighting, automation systems, etc.) and 30% to how the occupants behave in the building and how efficiently the buildings are operated. Ameresco's Better Schools Partnership uses their school renewal program to address the building systems and their EarthCARE program to address the occupant behaviours and operation of the building. This model involves many stakeholders as partners working toward a common goal of reducing waste and increasing educational value for the board. EarthCARE's Proven Success EarthCARE is an action-oriented environmental education program designed to develop students and staff as environmental stewards. A distinguishing feature of the program accounting for its success is its delivery strategies, which include a focus on partnerships between schools and facilities, on youth as action-oriented leaders, and a shared goal to encourage energy savings and conservation. In just two years, the EarthCARE program in one board has avoided energy costs of ~$2,000,000 and reduced CO2 emissions by ~20 tonnes. EarthCARE can help to avoid about 10% of a board's utility costs by influencing how we behave in and operate the buildings. The EarthCARE program is currently active in the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board and the Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board. Over

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