With everyone concerned about the environment and the impact humans are having on it, it is no wonder that the green living movement is gaining popularity and speed. Since our children are our future, and we are leaving this world to them, it only makes sense to teach them responsible ways to preserve the resources we have. There are countless ways to live green, from reusable shopping bags for groceries to walking or biking whenever possible. This list of 5 ways to teach your kids about green living can help you get started.
1. Recycle and Reuse - Most large cities have recycling ordinances in place that require residents to sort paper and plastic items from the regular garbage. Parents can take it one step further. Many items are not recyclable according to the charts given out by cities, such as yogurt containers, but they can be reused for a large variety of projects. By reusing what can not be recycled, kids can create beautiful art projects and useful items, while learning about preserving the Earth.
2. Clean up the Environment - Kids can help organize a local community clean up project. Even in rural areas, with undisturbed natural resources, there is always someone throwing bags of garbage on the side of the road. Older kids and teenagers are great at organizing events and can take pride in keeping the environment clean. Teenagers are especially good at rallying their friends and family for a good cause.
3. Conserve Water - Conserving water is an easy green living ideal that even small children can take part in. Simple things like short showers and shutting the water off while brushing their teeth are simple to remember and can make a big impact. Encourage children to pass these ideas along to their friends and to spread the message to not waste water.
4. Conserve Electricity - To children, electricity may seem as if it has an endless supply. Teach children at a young age to shut off lights when they are done in a room and to use CFL (compact Florescent Light bulbs) in light fixtures. Parents can also install automatic light switches that turn on and off as you enter and exit rooms.
5. Buy Local - Buying locally produced goods and locally grown foods helps cut down on the energy consumed by shipping methods. By teaching children to shop at places such as Farmer's Markets, adults can instill in them the value of supporting not only the local economy, but reducing the amount of waste caused by packaging and the fuel used by trucks and trains.
Children learn by example, so setting up your home to live as greenly as possible will have a huge impact on their efforts to live green as well. The most important way to teach children to live green is to explain to them that our environment has limited resources, and that we must conserve those resources for their generation and the generations to follow. Encourage them to find other ways of living green and to pass the message on to their friends.
1. Recycle and Reuse - Most large cities have recycling ordinances in place that require residents to sort paper and plastic items from the regular garbage. Parents can take it one step further. Many items are not recyclable according to the charts given out by cities, such as yogurt containers, but they can be reused for a large variety of projects. By reusing what can not be recycled, kids can create beautiful art projects and useful items, while learning about preserving the Earth.
2. Clean up the Environment - Kids can help organize a local community clean up project. Even in rural areas, with undisturbed natural resources, there is always someone throwing bags of garbage on the side of the road. Older kids and teenagers are great at organizing events and can take pride in keeping the environment clean. Teenagers are especially good at rallying their friends and family for a good cause.
3. Conserve Water - Conserving water is an easy green living ideal that even small children can take part in. Simple things like short showers and shutting the water off while brushing their teeth are simple to remember and can make a big impact. Encourage children to pass these ideas along to their friends and to spread the message to not waste water.
4. Conserve Electricity - To children, electricity may seem as if it has an endless supply. Teach children at a young age to shut off lights when they are done in a room and to use CFL (compact Florescent Light bulbs) in light fixtures. Parents can also install automatic light switches that turn on and off as you enter and exit rooms.
5. Buy Local - Buying locally produced goods and locally grown foods helps cut down on the energy consumed by shipping methods. By teaching children to shop at places such as Farmer's Markets, adults can instill in them the value of supporting not only the local economy, but reducing the amount of waste caused by packaging and the fuel used by trucks and trains.
Children learn by example, so setting up your home to live as greenly as possible will have a huge impact on their efforts to live green as well. The most important way to teach children to live green is to explain to them that our environment has limited resources, and that we must conserve those resources for their generation and the generations to follow. Encourage them to find other ways of living green and to pass the message on to their friends.
Louise Baker is a freelance writer, author, and part time environmentalist. She most recently wrote about accredited online degrees for Zen College Life, where she also ranked the best online colleges in the USA.
