Youths' song inspires energy conservation habits

By Jennifer Clampet (USAG Wiesbaden)September 21, 2010

Youths' song inspires energy conservation habits
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

WIESBADEN, Germany - Writing, performing and producing a catchy song isn't about fame and fortune for one group of U.S. Army Garrison Wiesbaden preteens.

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They'd much rather be "Energy Stars."

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"I hope that people will save more energy," said sixth-grader Shailen Hinson, a member of the Hainerberg School-Age Center's Music Makers Club responsible for the "Turn the Lights Out" music project.

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The song - the basis of an Energy Star and Boys and Girls Clubs of America Partnership project - is meant to encourage energy savings among youths in the garrison community.

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"Hit the street on your feet or wreck the cement with your board," goes the lyrics to the song. "Just forget the car, just leave the car and be an energy star."

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The song will be unveiled this fall. The group's project proposal also includes designing posters and flyers and holding an open house to promote the Energy Star Program.

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Energy Star - a program sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy - is designed to help Americans cut back on energy consumption in order to save money and protect the environment.

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The U.S. Army has its own energy savings program with laws mandating that renewable energy contributes to 5 percent of each Army installation's total electricity consumption by fiscal year 2012 and not less than 7.5 percent beginning in fiscal year 2013.

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According to Energy Star, energy-efficient choices can save families about a third on their energy bills and help cut back on greenhouse gas emissions.

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"Americans saved enough energy in 2009 alone to avoid greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those from 30 million cars and all the while saving nearly $17 billion on their utility bills," according to the Energy Star's website, www.energystar.gov.

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The Wiesbaden all-girl group's project earned the Hainerberg SAC a $710 Energy Star stipend to be used to encourage youth-led energy efficiency and energy conservation activities.

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"The angle on this was to relate to youth, get them to cut out the waste of energy," said David Kent, technology lab administrator at the Hainerberg SAC.

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While the Energy Star project blossomed out of a group of his students in the center's guitar club, Kent credited the all-girl group of 10-, 11- and 12-year-olds with implementing and following through with the four-month project which has included vocal talents, lyrical writing skills and perseverance on the part of each group member.

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"Personally, when I was 10 I wasn't doing things like this," said Kent.

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So what advice does the Music Makers Club have for garrison youth on saving energy'

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"Done chattin'' Facebookin'' Emailin'' My Spacin'' Put your computer to sleep then. Then you can play with your friends then. Please do your part for the earth, you and me."

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