Focus the Nation is a nonprofit organization located in Portland that empowers young leaders to embrace the reality of our environmental challenges and encourage them to find solutions. Since 2008 it has aided over 300,000 youth in educating their communities about sustainable practices.
Universities across the nation such as Western Washington University, University of New England and University of Alabama have adopted programs through the Focus the Nation Forums-to-Action framework to begin campus-wide programs and events. In 2012, former University of Oregon student James Walton and current student and Program Coordinator Weston Cooper took initiative of this opportunity and brought it to UO.
The Student and Community Outreach for Renter Efficiency program is a free peer-to-peer energy assessment service offered to UO students living off campus. Evaluations of current energy use and free installation of energy-efficient materials such as CFL light bulbs, faucet aerators and weather stripping are a few of the services $CORE has to offer.
The student energy educators help households save money by providing materials and information that will lower their utility bills while reducing their carbon footprint. The hands-on energy assessment generally takes about an hour and is with two trained energy educators.
“Most students only plan to live in their residence temporarily and don’t consider investing in sustainable practices. This makes it easier for them while also educating them of the benefits,” Cooper said. ”The program really helps bridge the gap between homeowners and tenants.”
As a bonus and even more reason to take an afternoon to learn about sustainable practices, if more than half of the roommates are present, $CORE will buy a large Track Town pizza for the household.
The program gains resources through the UO Office of Sustainability and the existing Student and Community Outreach for Renter Efficiency model. Weatherizing products are provided from Jerry’s Home Improvement Center in Eugene. Funds are provided by a generous grant from EWEB and other local company donations.
In its first year, 2012-13, $CORE installed sustainable materials in 40 houses and two fraternity houses. In its second year they have already reached over 70 houses.
The program operates in preparation of the cold seasons when students’ utility bills tend to rise. It is currently in its last week of operation for the year but plans on increasing the amount of household installations beginning in the fall. Residents can sign up for an energy assessment on the Office of Sustainability website.
You can also follow $CORE on Facebook for updates and more.