Duke Gets Ready To Rumble

Beginning next week, students, faculty and staff will bring the hurt to carbon emissions.

On Feb. 27, Duke will ring the starting bell on its "Green Devil Smackdown," an eight-week team competition to encourage sustainable behaviors on campus. Teams of Duke community members earn points for "green" actions, such as taking the bus, carpooling or completing the Duke Carbon Calculator.

In true wrestling style, the team that earns the highest average points per participant will be crowned champion and receive a custom-designed Green Devil championship belt, among other prizes. In addition, a drawing will be held at the end of the competition to award grand prizes to three individuals who participate in four of seven rounds of the competition. Prizes include an Amazon Kindle, bicycle and tickets to Duke basketball games.

The competition runs from Feb. 27 to April 20. Points will be awarded on a sliding scale based on difficulty. For example, a competitor receives 25 points for "liking" Sustainable Duke on Facebook. A one-time amount of 625 points is given for obtaining an alternative transportation permit to bike or carpool to campus instead of driving alone.

Visit the Smackdown website for more information and to sign up.