Nova Scotia Schools Saving Energy

The following is one of a series of feature stories from the Department of Energy.

Students are helping their schools save energy, conserve water, reduce waste, and save money on utility costs by being environmentally conscious. Eleven schools along the South Shore are participating in the pilot phase of Destination Conservation, an environmental education program administered by Clean Nova Scotia.

Students are trained to conduct an environmental audit on their school, focusing on lighting, insulation, heating, and water systems, with the help of teachers, administrators, custodians, and community members. By identifying areas for improvement -- such as using high-efficiency light bulbs and reducing the amount of water that is flushed down the drain -- students learn first- hand how to reduce their environmental impact on the earth.

"This is a great way for kids to learn about conservation," said Energy Minister Ernest Fage. "By learning ways to reduce energy use at school, they can then teach their families how to be more energy efficient at home."

The Nova Scotia Department of Energy donates $25,000 to the the Destination Conservation program.

Schools that participate in the Destination Conservation program could see a six per cent to seven per cent reduction in utility costs during the first year, according to Clean Nova Scotia. The costs are monitored and calculated by the students. The program recommends that any savings be reinvested in the school for technical retrofits. Technical retrofits are to be completed in the second year of the program by an industry partner, saving the school an additional 20-30 per cent in utility costs.

"My students are actively participating, and are having a lot of fun learning about how to be better conservationists," said Kim vanDyk, who teaches a Grade 8 class at North Queens Rural High School, in Caledonia. "Because it is hands on, the students are applying what they know to conduct energy audits on their own homes. They are also passing the message on to other students."

The Destination Conservation team approach to the three Rs -- reduce, reuse, and recycle -- teaches students the value of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by reducing energy use. Students learn how to contribute to practical, long-term environmentally friendly practices that will benefit their own home, school, and community.