Each year, during the first ten days of March, the global environmental community comes together to host a series of events in honor of World Energy Efficiency Day. The primary objective is to promote awareness about the responsible use of energy in order to protect the environment. Children learn essential life skills by being taught about energy conservation at a young age. This empowers them to become conscientious citizens capable of positively impacting the environment. For this special event, Oksana Kremin, a specialist of the IRCEF, led a workshop on environmental education called “Saving Heat, Light, Water – Saving Nature!” with students from the Transcarpathian Regional Center for Children and Youth Creativity “PADIUN”.
The workshop began with a brief lecture accompanied by a presentation on fundamental energy-saving concepts, the use of renewable energy sources, and the environmental repercussions of energy consumption, specifically on biodiversity loss. Through interactive activities and educational materials, the children learned practical strategies for efficiently using electricity, water, and gas to minimize energy wastage in their homes, schools, and public spaces. The children improved their understanding by watching the video “Energy Saving,” which offered guidance on using appliances correctly and practicing energy conservation.
The participants showcased their knowledge by completing a crossword puzzle titled “We are for the Sustainable Use of Natural Resources” and engaging in the “Energy Scrabble” quiz. An engaging part of the workshop was the exercise “My Daily Steps for Nature Conservation”, where each team devised a mini-project featuring their personalized tips on conserving energy in their daily routines. This not only reinforced their learning but also fostered creativity and communication skills among the children. The eco-training session for young participants is a significant undertaking, as they represent the future stewards of our planet. By giving them the knowledge and resources to use natural resources wisely, they can help in conservation efforts and fight against biodiversity loss.
The event was held within the framework of cooperation between the Interreligious and Civil Environmental Forum of Eastern Europe (IRCEF) headed by Olexander Bokotey) and the German Nature Conservation Union (NABU Bundesverband, NABU International), project coordinators Ivan Tymofeiev (NABU), and Nataliya Kulya (IRCEF).
Oksana Kremin,
Head of the Department of Ecology and Environmental Protection at PADIUN and IRCEF expert
