It seems that kids are the biggest influence when it comes to encouraging those who should know better to turn off appliances.
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According to new research from energy company E.ON and The Scout Association, over two-thirds of young people are using their ‘kidfluence’ to pressure parents, teachers and family members to turn off and unplug electrical appliances when not in use.
Demonstrating a passion for energy awareness, almost two thirds of those aged under 14 are also pushing their peers to do the same. With just under half of young people admitting they are annoyed by energy wastefulness, the findings reveal a real enthusiasm amongst young people to become more energy aware.
Exposing a gender divide, girls were most angered by people’s lack of understanding for the environmental impact of excessive energy use, whereas boys were most infuriated by the financial cost of energy waste.
Suzanne Doxey, Community Relations Manager at E.ON, said: “It’s great to see such enthusiasm for energy from the younger generation.
“We know that young people have a huge influence on how much energy is used at home.”
Showing a considered view of the future, over a third of young people believe that we’ll be using less energy in five years’ time because of their persuasive tactics. Moreover, over half of today’s young people think that the majority of the power we will be using in five years’ time will be generated by the sun.
Renewable technologies will be ever more important as the younger generation’s passion for gadgets shows little sign of abating. Just under half of young people claim that they can’t live without their smartphone while a third would struggle without their TV, laptop, PC, iPad and Kindle.
However, young people believe that increasingly sophisticated gadgets allow people to better manage their energy usage, with nearly half of 13 and 14 year olds thinking that our smartphones will control energy use in the home in years to come.
With over half of young people using on average six different gadgets and electrical appliances a day, E.ON is working with The Scout Association to provide insight into the amount of energy we use every day.
Elizabeth Harvey from The Scout Association said: “We’re excited about the opportunity for Scouts to help get British homes energy fit. It’s clear energy awareness is a burning issue for young people and we’re joining forces with E.ON to help our members really make a difference to their families’ energy use and bills.”
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