British embassy launches online resource on energy saving for young people
Kyiv, March 1 (Interfax-Ukraine) – The British Embassy in Ukraine has presented a new online resource www.teenergy.com.ua, which in the form of an ideal environmentally friendly house gives recommendations on energy saving.
"There are excellent technical solutions, which you could install at home without assistance or do them yourself, for example a compost pit or a solar energy collector. The question of why we need to save energy is seldom heard, [but] tariffs are rising and will rise. Water became more expensive today. In addition, resources are being exhausted mercilessly. Our teenergy-house is aimed at giving an answer to the question "how can you save energy?" in an entertaining, understandable and interesting form. We focused on young people, because they will determine the way of our consumption in the near years," an expert from the Do Rechi Social Marketing Bureau, Oleksandra Zarutska, said at a press conference hosted by Interfax-Ukraine on Thursday.
According to her, the energy saving potential of Ukraine's housing and utility sector is estimated to be 50% used.
"But, of course, not all of this is in the competence of residents of houses. We can save up to 30% of our water, 50% of our electricity, and 10 to 80% of our heat energy," Zarutska said.
The eco house is ready to share with its guests information about new solutions and old technologies of energy saving.
"For example, did you know that TVs with big screens consume two times more energy than the ones with two times smaller screens? And our TV set receives energy from an exercise bicycle, and this is not fiction, because this is how Christmas trees were lit up in Austria this year, and there are blocks in China where residents install exercise bicycles connected to the power grid," the expert said.
"There is a carpet on our wall, as in the old times tapestries and carpets were used to save energy in houses, and we took them off under the influence of fashion. We should forget about the Soviet-style habit of wearing only our underwear in the apartment in winter. For example, in Italy they forbid housing to heated higher than 18 degrees in winter. It is no coincidence, as sharp temperature drops are detrimental to health, that is why in winter the air in premises should be cooler, we should warm ourselves, and not air in the premises. In addition, open windows make a corridor lose heat, which is a tradition for us," Zarutska said.
"As for the kitchen, while washing fruit and vegetables we waste 15 litres of water per minute. If we fill a bowl or a sink with water this could save three to five litres. Boiling of water in an electric kettle is much more energy efficient than on an electric stove," she said.
In turn, British Ambassador to Ukraine Leigh Turner noted that Ukraine is one of energy wasting economies of the industrial world and is aiming to reduce its dependence on energy recourses.
"For this, everyone should use energy more intelligently. In 2010 the British embassy launched a digital campaign entitled 'Save Energy! Save Money!' aimed at informing the public on how to change everyday habits connected with energy consumption. Our next step is the teenergy project for young people. Children and young people are able to influence behaviour and opinion of the society more actively," he said.
"We are trying to inform people how they can join in energy saving. It is very important and we realise that industry and businesses have to play a leading role in this," Director of International and Investor Relations at SCM Jock Mendoza-Wilson said.
He added that his company is investing a great deal in energy saving. In particular, the Metinvest metallurgical holding (SCM Group) invested UAH 494.5 million in energy efficient equipment for its enterprises in 2010.
"According to surveys, Ukraine wastes $12 billion of its energy potential annually. It's very important to cut energy consumption from the social and economic viewpoints. Young people should treat the environment with responsibility," Mendoza-Wilson said.
"Ukrainian businesses put the problems of energy consumption and energy efficiency on the agenda a long time ago. This is a very practical issue, in which people are investing funds. Unfortunately, this problem is not popular in society. The Ukrainian society is far from having awareness of the real cost of energy resources. We do not understand how much the resources that we use every day cost, and that this will not last for ever, and that we will have to pay the same price as the whole world does," TNK-BP Commerce International Affairs Director Nicholas Tymoschuk said.
According to him, the concept of the teenegry project is successful for two reasons: it is very useful, and it has a simple slogan to draw the attention of young people to the problem.
"It is very difficult to the change the lifestyle of adults, while young people accommodate much faster and are open to changes," he added.
"As any person of art, I am trying to promote human values that have been formed over thousands of years. Everything starts with the ecology of the human soul and mind. If we could become fairer, more loyal, the world would change in a more global sense. We should change ourselves, otherwise we will come to nothing," the singer and ecology activist Alyosha said.