Julian Lam, CLP PowerWise Website Programme
PowerWise promotes the smart use of energy.
CLP has a target of reducing its CO2 output by 75%. PowerWise is an educational outreach program, launched in 2003, centred around the PowerWise website and the Pao family. It is targeted at local primary school kids in years 1-3.
Julian’s team of 10 people are proactively reaching out to schools and have so far connected with a third of Hong Kong’s local primary schools. They are also responsible for material production and school visits.
The program involves working directly with each school and its teachers to deliver the information. While in class the teachers use the PowerWise website, which has many interactive features, games and souvenirs to ensure the kids are engaged. The whole idea is to reduce energy usage at home by learning simple cause and effect – in practical terms encouraging them to turn off lights and efficient temperature control on air-conditioners.
Each child has a take-home CD and booklet to further enhance the learning.
Julian’s team will visit each new school and hold sessions to instruct the teachers on how to conduct the lessons. All the children on the program will also visit a CLP power station and the Electricity Museum.
Julian heads up the community group and has four regions directly reporting to him. The four regions are responsible for the outreach programmes in their area.
Julian hopes soon to have a mobile education van equipped with a 3D theatre to raise the awareness of climate change.
Progress
Locally in Hong Kong: 200 schools are involved, and approximately 10,000 kids go through the programme annually.
Julian and his team have also worked with the Girl Guides and have a Girl Guide badge “PowerWise Ambassador”. Approximately 450 Girl Guides have received the badge.
There is a great influence on the families of the kids. Kids who have gone through the program go home and influence their parents and siblings.
In less than a year from now, another 10,000 kids will go through the program. Throughout the year we will instigate reach-out programs to adults and SME’s in Hong Kong. Community outreach programmes cover the 14 district regions in Hong Kong targeting councils, property owners etc.
