Education
Host: Ian Eiloart
Participants: Mike Grenville, Alex Penn, Emma Blume
The problem: many people want to make changes, and some want to drive policy, but few understand the basic physics and economics behind energy supply and demand.
Education for public, activists and professionals. Different groups require different types of knowledge. Social change is driven by small groups, so those groups need to understand the science, technology, and social factors driving energy use and generation.
We have a responsibility to understand the changes that we advocate, as best we can.
TTL does public talks, but lecturing is not a great method for teaching and learning.
Energy can be very technical, with lots of numbers and equations. Most people don't like that.
History of energy supply, economic systems, cost of labour (human energy).
Educate children: tap pester power, is that irresponsible/exploitative, or do parents justify their waste by saying their children demand it? Is it better to educate people with power?
A generation has grown up with little science teaching, but new curriculum is more science based.
Feedback on energy use, micro-metering, etc. Separate energy from cost. People can make differences.
Science can give confusing messages, so perhaps we need better understanding of the scientific method, and how knowledge changes.
Next steps: Find good on-line resources. Set up course with WEA or CCE at Sussex, etc.
Get involved: contact one of the Group contacts on the Groups page
