Are you aware of the energy wasted around us all?

Downtown campus launches Nature Awareness Week in hopes to cure and create an awareness to students about nature and environmental issues. With a failing economy and resources running thin we can all take a new look at our efforts to become more green, while also helping out our pockets.

David Reed, an employee of JEA, performed a walk through Downtown Campus to help bring awareness to the students on ways that the school could become more energy efficient.

"There are so many reasons for us to make better choices in terms of our energy use- whether it's saving the planet or saving money on the light bill," said Downtown Campus guidance counselor Amy Perkins, who is also aiding the students with the Nature Awareness Week.

Among the many areas that could increase energy efficiency, most things were easy and free.

"Turning off lights in vacant classrooms, bathrooms, and hallways can help," said Perkins. "Every classroom we visited had a DVD player and other equipment that had lights on them which uses electricity even when they are off"

Energy vampires are what Perkins likes to call them, meaning machines that are running and sucking energy even when off or in hibernation mode.

"Think cell phone chargers, play stations, DVD players," said Perkins. "These can add up to 10 percent of your energy bill."

Another area in which Reed saw a window for improvement was making the most out of natural light.

"Walking around campus, almost all the blinds were closed," said Perkins. "If those blinds are opened, a lot more natural light enters and a lot less lighting is required."

Heating and cooling the school is probably the number one energy cost at the campus.

According to Reed adjusting temperatures down two degrees in winter and up two degrees in summer can lead to drastic savings that can be done. This suggestion can be used in our own homes too.

Landscaping was another area in need of improvement.

"We found sprinkler heads for plant beds with Florida-friendly plants, that should not require additional watering," said Perkins. "If we want to save money and resources, it will take a culture change."

Think twice before taking the elevator in place of the stairs, or hitting the automatic door button that was designed only for people with disabilities in place of manually opening it yourself.

Each time we use a resource we do not need we pay for it in tuition costs. There are several opportunities for small changes that can really add up in end.

All of these problems sparked Perkins drive to move forward with a Nature Awareness Week at the downtown campus set to take place from March 29 to April 1.

Nature Awareness Week will include everything from lectures on water conservation to silent auctions of birdhouse and the planting of water conserving trees.

"I hope that events like Nature Awareness Week can help students learn about some wonderful services, agencies, and initiatives in the community and decide to participate," said Perkins.

The student body represents the largest voice for action at the college.

"If the environment and especially our energy usage become important to students then the college will respond, and we will all benefit," said Perkins