HELLA Lights up Mobile Environmental Classroom
03 February 2011
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The Tread Lightly Caravan (TLC) is a new mobile environmental classroom, jam-packed with lots of fun, interactive exhibits, and Hella energy efficient white LED interior and exterior lamps. The Tread Lightly Caravan is a purpose-built mobile classroom. It is designed to give school children aged 8 to 12 years old an exciting opportunity to find out about the impact that everyday choices can have on the natural environment. The Tread Lightly Caravan is an Urban Ecoliving Trust project funded by 3M New Zealand, Ministry for the Environment, Auckland City Council and a range of other funders including Lotteries Commission, ASB Community Trust and the Lion Foundation. Some of the fun exhibits inside the caravan include observing the results of a questionnaire about consumption of water, electricity and other resources displayed as an environmental ‘footprint’ lit up on the floor of the caravan. |
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Another exhibit calculates the Greenhouse Gas emissions, number of trees which would need to be planted and number of planets which would be needed to plant that number of trees – based on information the children provide on their weekly travel patterns. |
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P/N 2651 The interior ceiling of the caravan has been fitted with ultra efficient white LED, high brightness interior lamps. Total energy consumption for 16 lamps fitted is less than 32 watts. |
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P/N 2JA 959 599 051 The exterior has been fitted with 12 LED flood lights with a total power consumption of less than 36 watts. These lamps light up the exterior of the caravan where children carry out energy saving tasks such as using an exercise-cycle to power up electric appliances. |
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P/N 2LT 980 670 311 The Tread Lightly Caravan will visit Auckland schools and attend community events. Where possible it will be powered by renewable energy sources including solar panels and second generation (waste based) biofuel. Approximately 30,000 people will visit the Tread Lightly Caravan every year. |
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Visitors to the Tread Lightly Caravan will leave with a better understanding of the environmental consequences of their individual choices, and be inspired to live more sustainable life styles