LED bulbs are now available for virtually all lamps, including those with pleasant warm light colours. You can certainly ensure that some lamps are LED. Simply check the bulbs to see if they are labelled LED. This also applies to schools.

Streaming means watching television and videos over the internet or playing computer games online. Streaming is now virtually unstoppable. It is convenient when all data is automatically backed up in the cloud and can be accessed from anywhere, and it is equally convenient when all programmes can be watched not only at a specific time, but also on demand. It can also be argued that computers no longer need such large hard drives and that CDs or Blu-rays no longer need to be produced. Ultimately, however, streaming around the world means considerable energy consumption, and the infrastructure for transmission masts takes up space and raw materials and probably also causes harmful radiation. One solution is therefore to give up some of the convenience and perhaps spend more time in nature instead of sitting in front of a screen. In detail, there is also the option of downloading something at home with fibre optics rather than on the go with older mobile networks.

Standby means that your computer, television or mobile phone is not completely switched off, but is merely “asleep” or still has a light on, and the devices can be easily switched on again with the remote control. Standby power consumption is often criticised and extrapolated. If a television consumes 5 watts in standby mode, for example, that amounts to 120 watt hours (Wh) per day, or approximately one-eighth of a kilowatt hour, which costs about 35 pence. Hardly anyone is going to get up from the sofa for 5 pence a day to press the switch on the television, or switch off the WiFi router at night, or shut down the computer. Or are they? And how many watt hours could be saved every day in all households? Would this consideration influence your actions?

Do you leave the lights on when you are no longer in the room? Modern lamps consume little electricity, but it is still worth not leaving them on unnecessarily, for example when we are not in the room for a long time.

This may only be relevant once you start earning your own money. Offsetting greenhouse gas emissions is highly controversial. Someone flies (CO2 in the upper atmosphere), drives a car (CO2) or hosts a barbecue (methane from burping and farting cows) and donates an amount for the associated greenhouse gas emissions to a service provider that promises greenhouse gas reduction/sequestration projects (e.g. through reforestation). Unfortunately, many providers prove to be bogus because they do not achieve the promised effect. Therefore, only reputable providers should be supported. Furthermore, offsetting should not be misunderstood as a free pass. It is therefore important to avoid emissions as far as possible and only offset the remainder (see also the section on donations). Children and young people usually have little money at their disposal. If money is not an issue or if you decide that your trips, school parties, etc. should be compensated, you can of course be very proud of yourselves for taking on more responsibility – for a better world.