It was an initiative of the Ford Motor Company fund, and one of the winning teams was comprised of eight University students: Casey White, Shai Bahrainwala, Andrew Chapello, Mark Moschel, Alexandra Wright, Matt Anderson, Artem Rogachev and Chris Kunzweiler.

Those eight students are not only our peers or the kids we may sit next to in class, but they’re also future leaders of a greener tomorrow, not just in the realm of our college but in the nation.

These students have the capacity and possibility to change America. And they are starting right here on campus.

With the grant, that group of students will continue to work on project Green Light Sustainability Solutions. Their goal is to offer an online database center that would show the energy efficiency of community rental properties.

They also will be provide training on how to perform free energy audits, so landlords and students know how to make those properties more energy friendly, whether it is through offering more efficient power strips or lightbulbs.

Aside from student efforts alone, our University has already made strides towards more energy efficient buildings and efforts in pushing for sustainability. Chancellor Richard Herman established an Office of Sustainability, which formed a Sustainabilty Committee. Professor and Director of the Office of Sustainability Dick Warner has offered many opportunities for students to not only get involved in ramping up green efforts at the University, but he has also sought for students and faculty to have open forums and discussions about those efforts. Even Governor Quinn signed the University’s Sustainable University Compact last February.

The compact outlined twelve initiatives statewide colleges could undertake to make their environments and communities greener. Some of those initiatives include storm water management projects, reducing emissions through use of hybrid and electric vehicles and a recently implemented car-sharing program.

Our campus’ Business Instructional Facility building is a prime example of an energy efficient building. The facility features rooftop solar panels and drought-resistant plantings that provide insulation and reduce water runoff.

Reducing our carbon footprint is not something that will only greatly impact our lives, but the lives after us. This effort is not only a way to save money, but also a way to save resources while using them wisely. It’s even about exploring better resources.

If we can, we should implement a greener way of thinking and support eco-friendly initiatives. It is something we can all do in our daily lives— whether we are recycling, turning off the lights in a room when you leave, or using more efficient lightbulbs.

We are in an energy generation. We can either use it or save it. We need to choose wisely.