Minhazul Islam Caught Green Handed

Name: Minhazul IslamHometown: Bangladesh, IndiaYear: SophmoreCaught where: PlazaDoing what: Making a smoothie using a blender powered by a bike at the SSL Energy Group's tableWhy did you decide to stop by the table?I am doing the energy engineering minor program at Duke and I am generally very interested in conserving energy, harvesting energy from renewable sources and sustainable resources. I mean, who would not stop by the table? You have a bike blending smoothies! What better?Why is it important to you that you study sustainable energy?First of all I believe that there is so much power in nature. There is so much potential to use it and also I can understand that we are continuously needing more and more power in everything. Rather than using up all the finite resources, if you can make something out of renewable sources and at this point in time it is something pertinent.How else do you promote sustainability in your life?I work at the Duke Smart Home. Other than that, I am working on a project that generates energy from the footsteps on sidewalks. Whenever the room is a bit cold, I put on something warm rather than turn up the heat. It helps to conserve energy. I turn off lights when I am not using a room. I turn off the tap when I brush my teeth. What sustainable efforts have you noticed around campus?A lot actually. If I look to my left, I know that there are solar panels all over the Bryan Center and that they generate 40% of the power. I noticed in Duke's newer buildings that there has been a lot of focus placed on incorporating architectural features that allow plenty of sunlight. Duke is pretty good on sustainable efforts.If you could change one thing on campus to make it more sustainable, what would it be?I see too many lights that are left on in unoccupied rooms. I see labs all throughout different parts of campus with lights on during the night. I prefer that they establish a system that automatically shuts them all off.It sounds like you know a lot about energy conservation already given your academic interest. Did you already know a lot about the Take Back the Tap initiatives that the Environmental Alliance is promoting at the table beside the Blender Bike table?I always drink water straight from the tap; I never use bottled water. First off, bottled water is so expensive Second, tap water is near perfect and completely safe. Also, you are not at any threat when drinking tap water so I definitely feel that it is the better option. At the same time, I do not know a lot about the initiative, but I think that it is a very promising and good initiative. I also like the structure that you all have built from the wire and the bottles; it is very cool. Will you be caught green handed next? Caught Green Handed is an initiative of Students for Sustainable Living created to reward sustainability actions at Duke. Get caught doing something eco-friendly, and receive great prizes including t-shirts, stainless steel water bottles and reusable grocery bags!  It's simple, just take actions throughout the day to reduce your environmental footprint and with a little luck, you could be Caught Green Handed! The contest will continue on a twice monthly basis throughout the fall semester.