The Green Schools team teamed up with An Taisce and Pedal Energy, to run a unique bicycle powered Energy Action day as part of the Green Schools programme. The day was held to highlight the need for us all to use energy wisely, and whenever possible to conserve energy in order to minimise the effects that our energy use is having on our environment.
The day consisted of a six bicycle powered generators which delivered real-time electricity, the students powered the unique presentation given by Gavin Heart, who outlined the effects of climate change and energy consumption. The girls had to cycle bikes to power the show; if the peddling stopped; so did the show.
Gavin’s message was simple ‘The power to influence climate change is in our hands… and feet!’ That the story of climate change is directly connected to the amount of energy we use, and how s we now take that energy for granted.
He highlighted the fact that a typical thirty-minute cycle produces about 40 watts of energy enough to run…
- A CFL lightbulb for about 2 hours
- Five full mobile phone charges
- About 1 hour on your laptop
And that every Irish person needs the equivalent of fifty people constantly cycling to produce enough energy to power their average day!
The six beautiful, comfortable and classy bicycles were kindly provided for the day by O’Neill cycle shop, without whom the day could not have been held. During the break times, the students got to use the bicycles to provide power for some music and used the bicycle powered smoothie maker to make smoothies.
The Green Schools team also used the day to sell smoothies in aid of the LauraLynn Ireland’s Children’s Hospice. The ingredients and equipment for the smoothies were kindly sponsored from Supermac’s, Curley’s Quality Foods and Squeeze the Juice Bar who all supported this worthy cause.
The Pedal Energy event provided the Pres with an inspiring and educational event for all our students, whilst also participating in the Green Schools energy theme. This fun event supported our school’s ongoing efforts to successfully complete the seven steps for the Green Schools Energy & Waste Flag.
