As global warming and energy use become increasingly 'hot issues' for consumers and businesses in West Wales, a Pembrokeshire web development company is helping to fight climate change by developing online resources that teach children to save energy!
Leafstream Ltd., based in Saundersfoot, has recently created a website providing free resources on energy and transport for children and teachers across Europe.
The website http://www.managenergy.net/">http://www.managenergy.net/ kidscorner is part of the EU's ManagEnergy initiative to encourage energy saving, sustainable transport and development of local renewable resources through a network of local energy agencies.
The e-learning resources available include a free searchable database for teachers as well as e- postcards, animations, information, pictures to download and colour, games, video links and a photo gallery. As the site was developed in West Wales, many of the photos may be familiar, including images of local wind farms, solar panels and small hydro power schemes.
Roger Coombs, of Leafstream, which specialises in developing websites for environmental companies, said: "This new website is a great resource for teachers who want a quick way to find free material they can use in lessons on energy and climate change. A series of short flash animations show how climate change occurs, and how energy and fuels can be produced from plants, the sun, the wind and water."
Mr. Coombs added: "The web pages are aimed at pupils of all ages, with pictures for the younger children and more detailed information and web links for older students. The site also includes games, music and a very popular e-postcard page.
For the teacher, there is a database packed with free lesson plans, activities, and online tools such as video clips, carbon emission calculators and case studies on energy management in schools. "The overall aim is to encourage every pupil in Europe to take small steps to reduce their energy use at home and in school. Little things like switching to low energy light bulbs, turning off computers and sharing a lift with a school friend, can help to save significant amounts of energy and money. Our message to children is 'the Power is in Your Hands'.
There are 75 million teenagers in Europe. If they all switched off one light bulb for just one hour each day, they would save enough energy to shut down a small power station. This not only reduces the carbon emissions that cause climate change, it also helps us to save existing energy resources for future generations of Welsh children and buys us more time to develop sustainable energy resources for the future."