Let us all become power-saving activists

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In this era of reduce, recycle and reuse, Mumbaikars are being told to be wary of the fuse. Experts and power firms have stated that consumers can help tackle the current electricity crisis by optimising electricity use, especially during peak periods.

A report on Sunday said that Mumbai's power demand has increased by 10 per cent compared to the corresponding period last year. Coal scarcity and soaring temperatures mean we need measures to ration its use.

This edit will not focus too much on how we can ration or reduce our electricity use; that can be learnt through a Google check from credible websites. What we need to do is change mindsets so that, shortage or not, crisis or no crisis, we are always in a state of heightened awareness about the need to ration all resources. Power saving is key here.

Just like there has been a huge and significant push towards environmental awareness, going green has become the fashion and in many fortunate cases, the action mantra. We now need a similar push for power saving. All these are also interlinked as saving power also means saving the environment. Like a whole breed of green activists who have done so much to bring the cause to the spotlight, we need save power activists or we ourselves need to become save power activists.

Becoming aware and actually practising power saving will be the first steps on the agenda. Then comes teaching and preaching the message to others. Electricity companies too can use signage, posters, advertising to enhance awareness about power saving.

Just like children are taught about the value of flora and fauna and nurturing nature, they can be taught power saving so that they grow up with that as second nature. As we become more gadget and gizmo oriented, power saving education must also be imparted concurrently.