On The Road
August 7, 2009
Conservation for generations
Posted by Natasha Gowda and Alia Rayan
Where: West Vancouver
Exciting the next generation about energy conservation may seem like a tough task, but Community Outreach representatives know how to electrify a young audience. It all starts with education. Story time events offer much more than reading; they are full of lifelong, entertaining lessons that children are not soon to forget.
Story time events begin with a fun-filled, interactive “electricity-making” activity, where our spectators learn where 90% of British Columbia’s electricity originates: hydro electricity! Since the children learn how important water is in the process of generating electricity, we proceed into a short story about conservation, called Uno’s Garden, by Graeme Base.
This story resonates with key messages, such as the importance of saving our natural resources for future generations. As the characterized population and consumption grows during the progression of the story, children learn that exploiting our resources can lead to their disappearance and environmental instability. With deep sentiments, the children see the need for conservation.
During a story time event at West Vancouver Community Centre, the children, ages 4-6 years old, came up with some unique ideas for saving electricity, water, and the environment. “What can you do to save energy around your house?” asked Alia Rayan. As the children brainstormed intently, one child stood proud and pledged to always “close the fridge door” and “turn the tap off” while brushing his teeth. “Simple habits like these can go along way and effect the big picture in the future,” commented Natasha Gowda.
With the next generation so eagerly saving energy, British Columbia’s goals of electrical self-sufficiency by 2016 and meeting 50 percent of incremental electricity needs through conservation by 2020, seems reachable. No matter how old or young, everyone can “Save like a Champion”.
Both Natasha and Alia are Community Outreach representatives based out of North Vancouver and will be presenting at story time events throughout the summer.
