5 Ways To Green Your Kids

Living green is important to all of us, but the fact is that our efforts won't matter if they aren't carried on by the generations after us. That's why it's so important to make sure that kids understand the importance of living sustainably and reducing our collective impact on the planet. Kids are the future of the environmental movement and our sustainability efforts. So what can we do to get them thinking green? Here are five ways that people are doing it.

Get Them Informed
The key to your sustainability efforts is education, and the same goes for your kids. A little knowledge can go a long way. That's why it's important to incorporate sustainability education in schools. If children are taught about these issues at a young age, they will develop good habits that will last them a lifetime. Teachers can find a host of great resources on the EPA's website. Greenopolis can also be a place where learning happens, with educational and fun green games.

Get Them Interested
Information is important, but it isn't enough. We need to get young people interested in these issues, and make them feel that the have a personal stake in them, because they actually do. I came across a great story the other day about a high school teacher in Chicago who has really gotten his students excited about sustainability and renewable energy. As a class project, his students raised algae with the purpose of converting it to biodiesel. The class's goal was to produce enough to drive a diesel vehicle from the school to the Sears Tower and back (a 20 mile journey). They reached their goal, and more importantly, this teacher reached his goal of getting his students engaged and involved. You can see the full story here. It's a great read!

Get Them Outside
It's so important that kids get to experience the outdoors and see just how special it can be. Today, children spend more time indoors than they ever have before. Video games can be fun, but so can nature. The humorously-named initiative "No Child Left Inside" seeks to remedy this situation, which they call Nature Deficit Disorder. The organization helps fund environmental education programs and programs that get kids outside. Once kids see some of the beautiful places on this planet, they will be more interested in saving it.

Get Them A Green School
Once you've got kids learning about being green, shouldn't they be learning in a green building? On June 4, 2008, the House of Representatives passed the 21st Century Green High-Performing Public School Facilities Act, which would dedicate $20 billion over the next five years to construction and renovation designed to make public school buildings more environmentally friendly. Then there will be more schools like Desert Edge High School in Goodyear, Arizona. This school, which opened in 2005, features efficient water usage, sensors to turn off lights in unoccupied rooms, a reflective roof surface to minimize heat and air quality sensors. These efforts earned the building an LEED Silver rating.

Get Them a Role Model - You!
Most important of all is for you to be a good eco-role model for your kids. School plays an important role, but ultimately kids will develop their habits in the home. So the good news is, the greener you are, the greener your kids will be!