CGI University Gets Involved: Microscholarships, Hens For Haiti, WaterWheels, And More

How many students does it take to screw in a compact fluorescent lightbulb? Tony Anderson, Morehouse College ’08, can answer that.

Together with college friend Marcus Penny, they founded Retrofit A Million (LRAM) for the purpose of capturing and replacing 1 million incandescent light bulbs with compact florescent bulbs in homes in low-income neighborhoods. So far, 1,000 student volunteers from several universities have screwed in 40,000 bulbs.

The bonus is that these student volunteers have also installed water-efficiency devices, including shower heads, low-flow toilets, and bathroom and kitchen sink aerators. "Having spent just over $78,000, LRAM has achieved over $7 million in energy and water savings," Anderson said in an interview. "That’s an 89:1 return on investment."

Anderson launched LRAM with the award that he received at the first annual Clinton Global Initiative University (CGI U), led by President Clinton in 2008. Each year at CGI U, college students from around the world compete in presenting practical solutions to address global challenges. This weekend, CGI U convenes its fifth annual event bringing together 1,000 students from 250 schools from around the world.

Here are a few more of the 3,000 commitments to action made by students, universities, and youth groups.

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