"Climate Cops"
By worldwise1
@worldwise1 (14885)
United States
September 7, 2008 9:56am CST
I had to laugh when I read this tidbit of information in a newsletter that I subscribe to that is put out by a doctor:
A new Web campaign by a British power company seeks to enlist kids as "Climate Cops" to actively keep watch over their parents and neighbors, and keep track of any "energy crimes" they commit.
Kids policing their parents? It's a Stalinist dream come true.
The site lures kids aged seven to 11 in with games, badges, and cartoons, and then actually prompts the children to investigate family and friends, and then, according to the website, "build your 'Climate Crime Case File' and report back to your family to make sure they don't commit those crimes (or else)!"
The "crimes" that this new legion of planet-loving Communist Youth are supposed to report on include using the wrong light bulbs (heaven forbid!), leaving the water running too long, and – you'll love these – putting hot food in the refrigerator (theoretically because it will require the fridge to have to run longer to cool this food down), and running the clothes dryer on a sunny day!
This whole idea is ridiculous to me. Parents shouldn't have to answer to their kids for the decisions they make, and while it is acceptable that kids can sometimes see the errors of our ways, they should not be encouraged to "report" them to anyone. What is your opinion in this matter?
4 people like this
7 responses
@GhostCat (313)
• United States
7 Sep 08
While I would agree that this concept reeks not only of Stalin, but also of Hitler, if the children are only reporting back to their parents I am not sure that there is a lot of harm here. It does not hurt to educate children in ways of protecting our climate, but I do not think that we need to encourage them to investigate these things. Once children are aware of something they will harass their parents without any encouragement from anyone (anyone who has been around a smoking parent will know that). All the things you mentioned the light bulbs, letting water run too long, running the clothes dryer on a sunny day (or even using the clothes dryer at all) and putting food in the fridge while hot are all ways we use excess energy daily that we could all curtail. Educated children are children are going to tell you about it no matter what, they don't need encouragement.
2 people like this
@worldwise1 (14885)
• United States
7 Sep 08
These children are reporting to the energy company, Ghost, and not just keeping it in the family. What is wrong here is that children should never be charged with policing their parents behavior! Let alone the neighbors.
1 person likes this
@carmelanirel (20942)
• United States
7 Sep 08
I would have to say, this is a joke right?? I mean, yeah it is good when a child says something like, we shouldn't leave the water running, but to actually report someone is going too far..Though there are adults out there who think they can do one thing and tell their child something else..I appreciate it when my children point out I messed up, it keeps me on my toes as long as they are polite about it, I correct it, but not every parent is like that..Still this is not the answer..
2 people like this
@worldwise1 (14885)
• United States
7 Sep 08
The article stated that the kids were being wooed by treats such as games, badges, etc. to urge them to report their family members and neighbors, carmelanirel. I think the people in that town should be up in arms.
2 people like this
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
8 Sep 08
climate cops well in some cases it might be necessary because people should be more energy conscious but there is a point of going overboard as well I think.
@sarahruthbeth22 (43143)
• United States
10 Sep 08
I feel this program will lead to some child abuse. If a kid tries to police the wrong parent and they will wake up in the hospital.This program assumes that kids will be heard and that the family will change their ways. I'm sorry it won't work in all families.
@GardenGerty (169449)
• United States
7 Sep 08
It gives me a creepy, communist feeling as well. I think at that age it will be easy to get kids interested in "telling on" their parents. If we take that out further, it may work to weaken family connectedness for this generation, and be carried on to the next.
