Essay of the Winner of the Contest, Yulia Kirnytska
Energy is not just a physical quantity; it ensures the heartbeat of Ukraine, the functioning of everything: from enterprises to our homes, everything we use. Previously, young people might only sometimes think about where energy comes from and how important energy security is. However, with the full-scale invasion of Russia, the word blackout appeared in the dictionary of every Ukrainian. It seems that it was then that we felt how vitally necessary and more important than ever a stable energy supply is. It turned out that ensuring a steady energy supply in war conditions is quite a challenge.
I often consider why energy security is so important to Ukraine and me. The answer is obvious: energy is the basis of the economy, which feeds production.
If we have an energy crisis, schools will have to close, doctors won’t be able to treat people, and businesses will shut down. For me, energy security means that I can continue studying, have a chance for a bright future, and stay in touch with friends and family. It means that the inventions and technologies we dream about will become a reality, and the economy will have a basis for development.
Though I am 15, I know that Ukraine’s energy security depends on my actions. Everyone can start doing something daily to strengthen it: consciously consume energy. For example, turn off the lights leaving the room, disconnect chargers from the network when not in use, and use energy-saving household appliances. Through these practical actions, we change our habits and better understand why energy security matters, and by spreading information among friends and family, we scale understanding and efforts and use energy resources more sparingly. We reduce energy consumption to avoid more significant energy problems. Conscious and independent is the way we should be, and we should take care of our contribution to supporting the country’s energy sector. It is worth turning on the light more often only in your mind and acting – with the thought of energy security.