8D: Solve a Problem

Solve a Problem

Reading

Electricity from the Sun

     When you go home this evening after school or after work, you're probably going to switch a light on, turn the heat or air conditioning on, cook dinner, or watch TV. Whatever you plan to do, you're probably going to use electricity.
     Most of us use electricity without thinking about it, but outside of the cities, people get light from the sun during the day and from candles at night. Candles are expensive and dangerous, but now there is a safer and cheaper solution to this problem: small solar panels are easy to use and can give electricity immediately.
     When Spanish photographer Rubén Salgado Escudero first visited Myanmar, he said: "I worked in villages and the people had no light at night. Then, one day, I visited a village with solar lights and people's everyday life was much easier. For example, fishermen went fishing before sunrise because of the solar panels. Children could do their homework as a result of electricity."
     After his first visit, Rubén showed his photographs of people with their solar lights and he raised money to pay for more solar lights. Now, more people in Myanmar have solar panels; these panels take energy from the sun and then provide 12 hours of light during the night. In the future, Myanmar is going to build larger solar panels for some of these villages.

Answer the questions:

1. 74% ofpeople in Myanmar don’t have electricity.

2. The solution is using small solar panels.

Goal check

1. A lot of people don't recycle plastic bottles:

• Education and Awareness Campaigns: Launch campaigns to educate people about the environmental impact of not recycling plastic bottles and the benefits of recycling.
• Incentive Programs: Offer rewards or discounts for people who recycle plastic bottles at designated collection points.
• More Recycling Bins: Increase the number of easily accessible recycling bins in public places like parks, streets, and malls.
• Plastic Bottle Deposits: Introduce a deposit system where people pay a small fee for each plastic bottle they purchase, which is refunded when they return the bottle for recycling.
• Partnerships with Local Businesses: Encourage local businesses to participate in recycling programs and offer incentives for customers who bring in used plastic bottles.

2. Everyone drives to work, so the traffic is bad:

• Improve Public Transportation: Enhance the availability, affordability, and convenience of public transit options like buses, trains, or subways.
• Carpool Programs: Promote carpooling through apps or local community groups, offering incentives for those who share rides.
• Encourage Remote Work: Support companies in offering more flexible work-from-home policies, reducing the need for daily commuting.
• Bike Lanes and Walking Paths: Develop safe bike lanes and pedestrian paths to encourage alternative modes of transport.
• Congestion Charges: Introduce charges for driving in high-traffic areas during peak hours to reduce the number of cars on the road.

3. Lots of young people don't have jobs:

• Job Training and Apprenticeship Programs: Offer job training and internship opportunities for young people to gain experience and skills in various industries.
• Youth Entrepreneurship Support: Provide funding and mentorship programs to help young people start their own businesses.
• Career Fairs and Job Placement Services: Organize events that connect young job seekers with local employers, and offer resume workshops and interview preparation.
• Government Incentives for Hiring Young People: Offer tax breaks or financial incentives to businesses that hire young employees.
• Collaboration with Schools: Partner with schools and universities to create stronger pathways from education to employment.

4. There's nowhere for people to relax downtown:

• Public Parks and Green Spaces: Develop or improve existing parks with seating, gardens, and areas for socializing and relaxation.
• Community Centers: Create or renovate community spaces where people can gather, attend events, and participate in recreational activities.
• Outdoor Cafés and Seating: Create outdoor café spaces and benches along busy streets for people to sit, relax, and enjoy the surroundings.
• Public Art and Cultural Spaces: Establish areas with public art installations, sculptures, and performance spaces to add a cultural dimension to downtown relaxation areas.
• Event Programming: Organize regular outdoor events, like concerts, yoga classes, or farmer’s markets, to encourage people to spend more time in downtown spaces.