Olympic gold medallist Tom Daley recently went back to school to get some energy-saving tips from primary school children in a bid to promote conversations about sustainability for a greener future. The 30-year-old retired Team GB diver embraced the school spirit by donning full school uniform and picked up some new slang from his young classmates like ‘stop the yap and turn off the tap’. From learning terms like ‘rizzler’, ‘skibidi’, and ‘sigma’ – all denoting coolness and charisma – to being praised for his blazer and tie, described as ‘so slay’, Daley engaged with the children on various energy conservation methods such as not wasting water, partially turning on the heating, and promoting walking or cycling to school.
Despite his sporting achievements, Daley was playfully told to ‘stick to diving’ during a football game at break time and was scolded by the teacher for making a paper airplane. This visit was part of a collaboration between Daley and British Gas for its ‘Get Set for Positive Energy’ education programme in conjunction with Team GB and ParalympicsGB. The focus of the initiative is to educate children on the significance of sustainable energy habits for a more eco-friendly future. A survey of 2,000 parents of children aged 5-17 revealed that one in five parents admit their household’s sustainability practices are influenced by their children, some as young as five.
According to the research, 43 per cent of parents believe their children are more aware of the eco-friendliness of their home, with seven in ten acknowledging the need for improvements in energy efficiency. Tom Daley expressed his enthusiasm about the school visit, stating, “It’s been brilliant going back to school and learning from children on their energy-saving tips in their own language. As the future generation, it’s important they feel educated and inspired to adopt habits to create a more sustainable future for all.” The study revealed that 21 per cent of parents credit their children with helping them stay aligned with sustainable practices, from reminding them to turn off lights to guiding them on recycling procedures.
Parents also confessed to being reprimanded by their children for leaving taps running, wasting food, and not unplugging chargers when not in use. On a positive note, over one-third of parents mentioned learning something new about energy conservation from their children, with two-thirds attributing this knowledge to schools and 32 per cent to YouTube. While nine out of ten parents appreciate learning ways to enhance their energy-saving habits from their informed children, 65 per cent indicated that discussions on sustainability would be easier with age-appropriate language. Moreover, 39 per cent believe that tailored energy-saving tips for children and teenagers could help families become more eco-friendly.
James Corcoran, a representative from British Gas, lauded the initiative, stating, “It’s incredible to see young people taking the lead in energy-saving habits. By collaborating with Tom Daley and involving kids in developing advice in their own language, we’re making sustainability a fun and relatable topic.” The ‘Get Set for Positive Energy’ programme aspires not only to share tips but also to empower young people and their communities to build a greener and fairer future. This collaborative effort between Tom Daley, British Gas, and the schoolchildren signifies a growing awareness and commitment towards a sustainable and eco-friendly future, with the aim of engaging and educating the younger generation on the importance of energy conservation.