Fact Sheet 16

WHAT DIFFERENCE CAN I MAKE?

Whatever the issue we’re investigating, it’s really important for us all to remember that we can make a difference. The amount of energy we use is an important issue for everyone. As you know from your other work in this kit, the main sources of energy that we use are believed to be running out. As well, these sources of energy can cause harm to our environment. People in business need to reduce their energy use, governments need to promote greater energy efficiency and householders have to cut down the energy they use as well.

There is an important role for school communities in reducing their use of non-renewable resources, such as electricity from coal- and gas-fired power stations. It is also important that school communities consider how they could start using, or increase their use of, renewable energy sources, such as solar energy or energy generated from wind, tides or waves. Schools use lots of energy and most of it comes from coal-fired power stations. What could your school do to make a difference?

Making a difference through...

• Cutting down use of electricity from coal-fired power stations
• Being more energy-efficient with electricity you do use
• Using more energy-efficient appliances
• Using or increasing your use of renewable sources of energy

A really useful way of tackling any issue that a community thinks is important is to participate in action research. Action research is just what it says – people research or investigate something of concern in their own ‘back yard’ or context. Action research consists of simple but powerful steps. One form of action research includes the following steps:

• Identify the problem or What needs improving?
• Investigate the problem or Gathering the information.
• Analyse the data or What can we learn from all of this?
• Possible actions and consequences or What could we do and what might the results be?
• Decide on action or What will we do to address the problem?
• Evaluate the action or How well did we do?

Did you know that a kilowatt hour (kWh) is a way of measuring electricity energy used? One kilowatt hour is the amount of electrical energy transferred to an appliance in one hour by one kilowatt of power.

Did you know that for every kilowatt hour used, one kilogram of carbon dioxide (CO₂) is released into the atmosphere? This rate varies according to the age of the power station and the technology used. Can you find out what other gases that are harmful to us and to our planet are also produced as a result of generating electricity by burning coal?

Available as:

PDF – Fact Sheet 16

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