Have you done your bit to reduce carbon emissions today? Starting from Earth Day (April 22) this year, TKU has been taking part in a national university-based competition known as “A Greener Life Starts with Me”. According to related statistics, as of May 17, Tamkang University has managed to decrease its carbon emission levels by a total of 2959 kg. However, the overall rate of participation among TKU students, faculty, and staff amounts to a mere 1%. These statistics place Tamkang third overall when compared with participating universities around Taiwan.

Staff member Chiu Hsin-tseng, from the TKU Center for Environmental Protection, Safety, and Health, said: “We hope to increase the rate of participation.” The Center is now encouraging Tamkang staff and students to join together in caring for the environment and saving animal and plant species on the verge of extinction in Taiwan. These include the common tree fern, green sea turtle, leopard cat, and porous coral.

Those who enter the competition will be in the running to win a number of small prizes, including a cash prize of NT $1,000. Second year Department of French student, Lin Chia-wen, noted that “the daily diary of carbon emissions that I write before going to class helps me keep the environment in mind throughout the day.”

For more information, visit the website http://green.cw.com.tw/2012/.