“This meeting will not debate the fact or impact of climate change, nor humanity’s impact on the environment. The science is undeniable. The task for all of us now is to do what we can to reduce global warming.”

Any effort to reduce our environmental footprints and in so doing potentially lower the cost of electricity while securing renewable resources is surely admirable – even to those misguided souls who still debate whether humans have an impact on our environment and on a changing climate.

On the panel at the Bermagui Country Club was renowned economist Ross Garnaut, innovators in renewable energy production and storage solutions, and experts in taking up the challenge of improving efficiency when it comes to consuming power.

In the audience were some 250-odd members of the Bermagui and wider community, keen to hear about the possibilities of efficient electricity use, solar storage and making money from producing power at home.

Missing was anyone under the age of around 45-50 (there were a couple of exceptions, including this journalist, with apologies to any others I didn’t spot – or misjudged).

So how do we engage the younger generations in the discussions around renewable energy futures, power bills and energy efficiency?

One wag at the forum suggested making mobile phones solar powered, while Annette Turner from The Crossing said getting youth outside and in love with nature was an answer. Back in the newsroom the discussion turned to practicalities like home ownership – or lack thereof.

It’s all well and good to talk up the benefits of solar power – for the environment and for home electricity bills – but it means very little to someone who is renting with no capability to install panels on their roof.

Several of the speakers on Sunday said the most cost-effective – and indeed the simplest – way to reduce your power bill is to control usage and save electricity where you can.

And while seemingly not engaged in the greater debate on renewables and community solar, even young people can get behind saving a buck can’t they?