On 2 February, hundreds-of-thousands of Dutch people will turn their thermostat lower to combat energy waste as part of the Warm Sweater Day, a national day of energy conservation. Maastricht University (UM), including FASoS, is participating for the third year in a row. 20 UM buildings will set their thermostats one degree lower, saving an average of 6% of energy consumption and thus producing 6% less CO2.
The sweater is a symbol of what you can do yourself to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. But of course you can also do other things: for example, turning off lights and computers (and beamers) when you leave a room at home or at work.
Last year’s results show a saving of 23% or 2690kg CO2! Of course the results of 2 February will be announced shortly thereafter. So do your part by putting on a warm sweater to keep yourself warm and the Earth cool!
The Warm Sweater Day at UM is organised by Facility Services together with the UM Green Office, in cooperation with participating faculties. For questions or more information about the day, please contact Erin Troost, (Interim) Sustainability Adviser, or Jacqueline Hendrix, Marketing & Communications at the Faculty of Law.
The Observant of 25 January will also pay extra attention to the WarmSweaterDay by publishing interviews with people about their favourite sweater and their feelings about sustainability.
The greenest energy is the energy you don’t use
The Warm Sweater Day takes place annually on or around 16 February, around the anniversary of the enactment of the Kyoto Protocol (1997). The purpose of the Kyoto Protocol is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions that lead to climate change worldwide. This national energy conservation event carries the motto ‘the greenest energy is the energy you don’t use’ and is organised by Klimaatverbond Nederland together with Greenchoice. For more information, please go to www.warmetruiendag.nl
