Who Did You Interview?
- Roommate/Friend
- Stanford Summer Program HS Student
Demographics That Might Provide Helpful Context for Their Responses
- American- Lives in Ohio, United States
- Indian Ethnic Background (parents moved to America)
- 16 years of age
Key Findings from the Interview
- What does Sustainability mean to you?
“It’s more about creating ideas that are beneficial to the environment, or help save the environment”. Creating ideas that maintain the wellbeing of the environment.
- How is energy misused or inefficiently used in your home country/state? (how could it be used more efficiently)?
“Less reliance on natural gas products, coal products is necessary for more sustainable use. Our electricity is straight up from burning coal.. where I’m from. It would be more efficient and effective to use nuclear power… may not be as safe.. actually may be as safe”. Interesting topics brought up by Shlok here- according to him, in his state there is an overreliance on fuel that cause carbon emission, which is bad for the environment. He also suggest nuclear energy to be more efficient.
- If a system that uses energy more efficiently/effectively was introduced to your daily life with a ramification of price increase (say, 10-30%) would you embrace it or reject it?
“Depends on the price.. if my air conditioning is going to cost an extra 1000 bucks I would reject it.. I’m sure many people with a worse social class status would too… If it comes to a cheaper product then I would.. but 30% even is a stretch”. Essentially, Shlok represents a majority of the population that personally evaluate or weigh the benefits vs cost of a given sustainable option.
- Do you have any ideas or opinions on how to improve energy usage in your country/state or as a whole?
“Nuclear” Shlok says as he goes to bed. One word, yet it suffices. Nuclear energy, as we have previously discussed, presents a great ethical concern. Who (as in which countries) gets to use it? How do you control the fine line between regular nuclear usage and nuclear energy usage for nuclear bombs? These political concerns as well as the potential accidents interfere with the worldwide efficient usage and adoption of nuclear power. However both Shlok and I later agreed the next day that if measures were taken and regulations made, it is a probable path or start to a more sustainable world.