Why Do We Need to Save Energy?
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You've probably heard the grown-ups in your house say "Turn off the light!" or "Close the refrigerator door!" Have you ever wondered why? Energy is there whenever we need it - so it's easy to forget where it comes from, or how much it costs. It all adds upEvery year, we use more energy than we did the year before. In fact, the amount of energy Americans use has doubled about every 20 years. All of that energy adds up, and much of it is wasted by using too much or not using it wisely. |
Energy isn't free. The grown-ups in your house pay for the all the electricity you use. So wasting energy is the same as wasting money - and we know that's not a good idea!
Wasting energy isn't good for the environment either. Most of the energy sources we depend on, like coal and natural gas, can't be replaced - once we use them up, they're gone forever. Another problem is that most forms of energy can cause pollution.
What can you do?It might seem like kids can't do much to help. But every time you turn off a light bulb or close the refrigerator door, you're saving energy. You can also help by reminding grown-ups to turn the heat down in the winter, buy energy-smart light bulbs and use appliances the right way. There are lots of easy ways to save energy at home - and all those energy-savers add up to a big impact on the environment. |
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To get started, try our Top Ten Rules for Saving Energy. The grown-ups in your house can help!
Then you can test your energy smarts by trying this fun online game:
Links for teachers and parents:
Energy conservation lesson plans
Questions? Call 1-800-ALLIANT (255-4268), use our Contact Us form, or E-mail us.
