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Making a difference in DevonPrint

Location: Devon

He’s known as the Prince of Darkness for his habit of shutting off lights in the Okehampton College staff room, but Keith Webber’s dedication to cutting CO2 is proving something of a shining light in the Devon region.

The Science Teacher has driven the transformation of Okehampton's energy use over the last two years, with support from the EDF Energy Green Fund helping to install solar panels and wind turbines and Pod activities helping to make discussion of the fuel mix a key part of lesson plans. Inspired by the Pod's Switch Off Fortnight campaign, pupils at Okehampton patrol school corridors handing out stern stickers to reprimand teachers who leave equipment on.

Keith's ambition is for Okehampton to use every form of renewable energy to make the school energy-independent. In the process, he's creating a model for micro-generation that other schools in the area are keen to follow. Okehampton has helped to install renewable energy projects at four primary schools within its catchment area - and such influence doesn't stop at the water's edge. Thanks to the Pod's overseas twinning programme, his pupils are now sharing their energy-saving ideas with children in France, via video link-up.

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