Scienceville
Energy Balance
An airport that runs on sunshine and a village powered by the Sun: India is finding clever ways to use clean energy. You can help too!
Did you know?
In 2015, Cochin International Airport in Kochi, Kerala, became the world's first airport to run fully on solar power. In 2018, it won the 'Champions of the Earth' award, the United Nations' highest environmental honour.
Modhera in Gujarat is famous for its Sun Temple, built nearly 1,000 years ago. Today it is called India's first solar village, and about 1,300 of its 1,600 houses have solar panels on their roofs!
Earth Hour began in Sydney, Australia, in 2007. Every year, usually on the last Saturday of March, people around the world switch off their lights from 8:30 to 9:30 pm to show they care about our planet.
Try this: Be an Energy Detective
Do this with an adult
For one evening, walk around your home with an adult and a notebook. Look for lights or fans running in empty rooms, a TV on with no one watching, or chargers left switched on. Note each one, and let the adult switch them off. Never touch plugs or switches with wet hands. Then make a 'Switch Me Off!' sign for the door.
Go further: Look for the Stars
In India, many electrical machines, like air conditioners, refrigerators and LED bulbs, carry a star label from the Bureau of Energy Efficiency. The label helps buyers compare how much electricity different models use. A machine with more stars uses less electricity to do the same job. This saves money and is better for our planet. Next time you visit a shop, count the stars!