| Many parents want to teach their children about | | | | A great idea is to teach kids about energy efficiency. |
| renewable energy and energy efficiency early in life | | | | Have them make a list of all the powered devices |
| because once they get in the habit of it, it will be a | | | | they use for a day such as TV, computer, lights, etc. |
| habit they continue to follow for the rest of their life. | | | | and for how long, and if possible the wattage of |
| But where should you start when teaching renewable | | | | each device. If they can't get the wattage, you can |
| energy for kids? A good idea would be starting with | | | | look up the average wattage for each device for |
| defining exactly what renewable energy is. You can | | | | demonstration purposes. Do a rough calculation to |
| suggest they make a list of non-renewable and | | | | show them how much power they're using in a day. |
| renewable power sources and build from there. Some | | | | Now have them do an 'energy conservation' day |
| examples would be: | | | | where they turn off devices when they're not using |
| Non-Renewable: Oil/Gas, Natural Gas, Coal, Nuclear | | | | them, turn off lights when not in a room, turn down |
| Renewable: Solar, Wind, Geothermal, Hydro/Water | | | | the heat/AC a couple degrees, etc. Now recalculate |
| Explain to them how renewable energy comes from | | | | the daily wattage and show them how much energy |
| natural forces. It is different from fossil fuels as it | | | | they saved with a few simple changes. |
| does not make greenhouse gases or other pollutants. | | | | Another great idea is show them how installing a |
| You can further explain how the mass production of | | | | solar panel or windmill can generate electricity for |
| electricity using renewable energy sources has only | | | | their own home. It's not as expensive as you might |
| recently become more popular. Some of the reasons | | | | think. You don't need an expensive commercial solar |
| why it's becoming more popular include: climate | | | | panel, you can build your own for $100-200 dollars |
| change caused by pollution and fossil fuels are all | | | | and your kids could even help if they're old enough. |
| being used up and becoming more expensive. | | | | The less they take energy for granted, the better. |