Energy Conservation at School and Home

We do not always think of the impact we are making on the climate every time we turn on a light, use a computer or watch T.V. For this research-informed action research project we studied how electricity usage can impact the climate. We conducted a mini correlational study at Erindale Secondary School to learn more about our peers’ electricity consumption. We asked our peers how many fluorescent light bulbs they use in their homes, and how often they turn off their lights when they leave the room. Our mini study reveals that the majority of boys and girls do not know how many light bulbs in their homes are energy efficient. In addition, equal proportion of girls and boys always or sometimes turn off the lights when they are not in use. For the action portion of our project, we organized the Earth Hour at our school to lower the energy consumption and to raise awareness about the importance of energy conservation. The Principal of our school also agreed to turn off the lights in the cafeteria every night to save more energy. We also challenged David Suzuki Secondary School in Mississauga to a friendly competition to see which school will save more energy. We still await the electricity usage data from the board to see who won the challenge