Alex Laskey: How behavioral science can lower your energy bill

TED 2013
Alex Laskey: How behavioral science can lower your energy bill (script)
Summary
Human behavior is strange, because in this video, when people in the city got a message: did you know you could save 54 dollars a month this summer? Turn off your air conditioning, turn on your fans, or an environmental message, or being good citizens, those didn't work.
However, people who got this message: When surveyed, 77 percent of your neighbors said that they turned off their air conditioning and turned on their fans. Please join them. Turn off your air conditioning and turn on your fans, started to do.
This is the social pressure that works. That's powerful stuff. We can use this behavioral science as new material to save us energy and money. And then, it's important for this behavioral science to be known by many people. They can't think about saving energy.
◆Viewpoints&Discussion
1. As a citizen concerned about the environment, what do you think you can contribute to conserve energy?
I always save on electricity willingly. I do it before I receive such messages. I try to do something like  I think of ideas myself and financial incentives to move me.
I think that other Japanese people also like to do something financial incentives: saving money but they are affected by social pressure also.
2. According to the video, how does behavioral science connect with saving energy?
"People weren't moved by moral suasion or financial incentives,  but they were done by social pressure. When surveyed, 77 percent of your neighbors said that they turned off their air conditioning and turned on their fans. Please join them. Turn off your air conditioning and turn on your fans." This message really works.
3. Do you think you can live as a good example to your neighbors in conserving energy? Why or why not?
Yes, I do. It's because some people make a complaint about air conditioning in the train. They seem to feel hot. However, I don't say that, because we have to save energy.
◆Vocabularies or expressions
 Try to explain the meaning of each word to your teacher.
1. finances
It's related to money. The management of large amounts of money, especially by governments or large companies.
2. geeks
It's nerd. A person who has excessive enthusiasm for and some expertise about a specialized subject or activity.
 3. spread out
lay out, open out,  To extend its surface area, width, or length.
example, The newspaper was spread out on the table.
 4. coal
It's fuel.  A black or dark-brown combustible mineral substance. used as a fuel.
 5. behavioral science
The scientific study of human and animal behavior.
Words in this story
conserve / protect,  safeguard
tickle / lightly touch or prod (a person or a part of the body) in a way that causes itching and often laughter.