Welcome to my new blog: Turn off your lights! I’m currently still working on the design for the main website, but as the blog is finished I decided to start using it.
The main website will give people the opportunity to name and shame businesses and organisations who waste energy by leaving their lights switched on through the night when there is no-one there.
The idea to create the site came last year when I lived near the train station in Nottingham. I would often walk home from town on the weekend in the early hours of the morning past the Capital One offices. I was always surprised by how many lights they had on and no matter how much I looked through the windows I never saw anyone inside!
Nearly a year on, Capital One still leave their lights on! These pictures were taken on Saturday 3rd January, 2008. Admittedly, while I was taking the pictures I did see someone, who looked like a cleaner or security guard, walking around one floor – but even so, that’s a lot of lights switched on for just one person who can only be on one floor at a time!
In kind of a double whammy, I noticed that lots of the computers inside the building were still switched on too! How much power is this (more or less) empty building using?!
More information on Capital One’s attitudes towards Environmental Sustainability can be found on their website: “Every day, we strive to ensure that we operate our business in an environmentally sound and socially responsible manner and seek to raise awareness of sustainability best practices among our shareholders, consumers, associates and suppliers” Really?
If you see any other examples of businesses who are clearly wasting energy then please take a picture and send me photos! All photos can be emailed to: photos@turnoffyourlights.co.uk. If you have any thoughts or suggestions about the site then please get in touch at the same address!