Youth Center children learn to conserve, energized to save Published May 27, 2010 By Brandice J. Armstrong Tinker Public Affairs TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- The kids here have one-upped the adults in a big way. During a recent four-month period, Tinker's Youth Center members decreased their energy consumption by 37 percent. During that same period, energy usage at the rest of the base was reduced by just 19 percent. Ranging in age from 5 to 18, the kids learned about energy savings from their parents, youth center teachers and 72nd Air Base Wing Civil Engineering Directorate officials. They put those lessons into practice and continue them today. "These kids aren't doing great big things; they're turning off the lights -- and we can all do that," said Britton Young, 72 ABW/CE mechanical engineer. "The little things add up. Let's take the lead from them." The children met with engineering personnel in October 2009 during 'Energy Awareness Month' and again in April 2010 for 'Earth Month.' The goal was to get them on board in Tinker's goal to save 4 percent of energy per square foot annually. As is, Tinker spends $120,000 a day on utilities and is the top energy consumer in the Air Force. The goal is based off Executive Order 13423, Strengthening Federal Environmental, Energy and Transportation Management, which mandates energy consumption be cut per square foot by 3 percent annually, Ms. Young said. "If we're going to do that, we've got to get everyone involved, from the littlest and youngest to the oldest," Ms. Young said. "The more energy we consume, the more fossil fuels we use and the more we hurt the environment. The less we use energy and the more we find more efficient ways to do things, the better off our environment will be." During both visits, engineering officials showed youth center children energy-measuring devices, including a thermal camera, and quizzed them on which electric appliances use the most energy. Additionally, Joy Shelly, school-age coordinator at the youth center, said they started turning off lights when they left the room and unplugged appliances when not in use, teaching the children about 'vampire power,' which continues to suck energy even if an item is turned off. "I think saving energy is cool because it's saving the earth," said 8-year-old Lindsey Sciberras. She said she learned about saving energy from her dad and saves energy by turning off the water when she brushes her teeth. LaCharee Sardis, also 8, agreed. "I think it's fantastic. It's really good for the earth," LaCharee said, adding she turns off the lights when she leaves a room and turns off the TV when she's not watching it. She also removes her mom's cell phone from the charger when it's fully charged, then unplugs the charger from the outlet.