Ngaio School First for Energy Efficiency Program

Ngaio School First to Take Part in ‘Planet Earth Power Kids’ Energy Efficiency Education Programme

Philips in partnership with the Electricity Commission Deliver New Resource to Schools Nationwide

22 September 2008, Wellington New Zealand – Today students at Ngaio school in Wellington were the first to trial the new ‘Planet Earth Power Kids’ programme designed to help teachers facilitate lessons on Climate Change, it’s effects and practical ways children can help reduce energy consumption at school and in the home. The programme, designed by Philips and supported by the Electricity Commission, provides children with a basic scientific understanding of the greenhouse effect and asks them to consider a number of actions including recycling, saving water and turning off appliances when not in use.

Energy and Climate Change Minister David Parker as well as Philips Ambassador former All Black Ian Jones were on hand to show the importance of the ‘Planet Earth Power Kids’ programme, even lending a hand during the lesson.

“The Phillips ‘Planet Earth Power Kids’ education programme highlights the important role households can play in minimising greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change, which is a key environmental issue today. I congratulate Phillips and the Electricity Commission on making this resource available to New Zealand schools,” said David Parker.

"The kids were shown the importance of doing the small things, which add up to very a big difference to the environment. It's as simple as using energy saving light bulbs, taking shorter showers or turning off the TV when leaving a room. These all add up," said Ian Jones, Philips Ambassador.

Sustainability Lead Teacher at Ngaio School, Kristin Sheppard believes this is a unique approach to educating New Zealand’s youth about climate change.

"It's a fabulous resource for teachers to use as a launching pad for learning about climate change. Pledges as a follow up activity takes the learning home to parents," said Sheppard.

Even the children had some feedback on the new program:

Ollie 11 years: "It was straight to the point and very clear. It told everyone what they need to know. It's a very important subject".

As part of the programme, students had the opportunity to take home a Philips Energy Saving bulb, which can help save up to 280kg of greenhouse gas emissions and reduce energy costs up to $96 for each bulb installed.

Philips will also be upgrading the lighting in the Ngaio School classroom to energy saving products, demonstrating that saving energy is as simple as changing the lights.

Philips Making a Mark in Energy Efficiency and Sustainability
Philips has a long standing commitment to providing solutions that improve people’s lives and are environmentally sound. Philips introduced the energy saving light bulb back in 1980 and is now the industry leader in energy efficient lighting. Today, Philips is continuing to innovate in the area of energy efficiency across its lighting portfolio including its state-of-art halogen energy savers and ultra-compact range of fluorescent energy savers in bulb shapes, as well as novel “twisted” tube shapes.

As the world’s leading lighting supplier, Philips is campaigning together with partners in the lighting industry, NGOs, energy suppliers, governments and retailers to accelerate the switch to energy saving lighting in streets, offices, buildings and homes.

In 2007, Philips launched the global www.asimpleswitch.com web campaign to show consumers that solutions for reducing energy consumption can be simple and actionable without compromising on quality of life.

The International Energy Agency has calculated that electrical lighting uses 19 per cent of all electricity produced worldwide and consequently. In New Zealand, this figure is estimated at around 15% providing a huge opportunity for consumers, businesses and government to save on power costs and energy expenditure.

ENDS

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