Build a Greener Future
As parents, it’s up to us to pass on valuable life lessons to our children. One of these lessons is to teach them to be green so that they will continue taking care of the earth as they grow up. Planting the seeds in their minds at a young age makes it much more likely they will continue to live an eco-friendly lifestyle into adulthood. Take these steps to help your family grow a greener future.
Teach them young.
It’s never too early to start modeling a green lifestyle to your children. Children model what they see, so do your best to show them how to live in your everyday life. Teach them why it’s important to take care of our planet and show them that small actions add up to make a big difference. Many books can help you do this, including Thank You, Earth, Old Enough to Save the Planet and The Lorax.
Plant a tree together.
Trees give us oxygen we need to breathe, store carbon, provide homes for wildlife and offer shade. Planting a family tree makes a fun memory for your children. I still have fond memories of planting a tree at my elementary school when I was in kindergarten. For information about buying the right tree for your space, learning how to plant a tree and taking care of a new tree, visit the Missouri Department of Conservation’s website at MDC.MO.gov.
Go paperless.
It may be easier said than done, but there are so many ways you can reduce your use of paper in your home. Here are a few examples: Save scrap paper and let your children draw on the back of old sheets. Request all your bills be emailed instead of mailed, and pay them online. Use online coupons and cancel unwanted newspaper subscriptions. Instead of purchasing paper towels, you can use cloth napkins and old rags for cleaning. This also saves you money in the long run, which is a win-win!
Use less plastic.
According to National Geographic, more than a million marine animals die as a result of the more than 8 million tons of plastic that’s moved into our oceans and environment every year. Do your best to help by following the lead of many restaurants and stopping your use of plastic straws. If you prefer using a straw, purchase silicone or stainless steel straws that you can wash and reuse. Also, instead of purchasing bottled water, use reusable water bottles. You can also use eco-friendly cleaning products that offer reusable pumps and bottles to cut the amount of plastic. Another way to trim plastic use is to bring your own reusable grocery bags to the store with you.
Use alternate modes of transportation.
Car pollution is very harmful to the environment. Cars and trucks emit 20% of all greenhouse gases in the United States. Teach your children the benefits of other modes of transportation. Walking or riding a bike to your destination is a great way to reduce pollution, and you’ll get in some exercise at the same time. The KC Streetcar runs through the heart of downtown and is a fun way to quickly travel to all your favorite downtown spots. While downtown, you can also try out the electric-assist bikes and classic pedal bikes thanks to the RideKC Bike program. The best part is you’ll be taking a small step in helping the environment while you ride.
Seven in 10 American homes say they’re an eco-household. However, 77% would like to be even greener.
– According to a 2019 survey conducted by OnePoll on behalf of Avocado Green Mattress.
Save electricity.
Teach your kids to turn off lights when they leave a room. If it’s daytime, rely on the natural light to brighten your home. Invest in eco-friendly lighting like LED light bulbs that can last up to 25 times longer and use up to 80% less energy. They’ll also reduce your electric bill greatly.
Observe Earth Hour.
Earth Hour is a movement in which every year on March 25 at 8:30 p.m. people spend one hour with the lights off. While the official “Earth Hour” has passed, you can still participate on your own time! Invite friends over for dinner and game night by candlelight, or enjoy a campout in the backyard. You can take it even further and spend the hour doing something positive for the planet. That could be picking up trash at a local park or planting a tree. Your kids will have fun observing Earth Hour and learning how to go green at the same time. If you really enjoy it, make it a monthly event instead of once a year.
Harvest rainwater.
Harvesting rainwater can reduce your water bill, help prevent water restrictions, reduce your carbon footprint and keep your garden healthy. There are many ways to collect rainwater, but a easy, budget-friendly approach is to collect it in a rainwater barrel. Place the barrel under your roof’s drainpipe and start collecting. Let your kids use the rainwater for watering your flowers and garden. If you don’t want to spring for a rainwater barrel, you can use a large bucket or pot to try it out before making the initial investment.
Start composting.
Composting saves landfill space, reduces greenhouse gas emissions and improves soil quality. Starting a composting bin is a fun hands-on activity to help your family go green. Kids find it especially fun to pick out the items that go in the bin and watch the earthworms do the work. Let your children mix the compost weekly, and when it’s ready, they can do the honors of spreading it instead of fertilizer over your garden.
Celebrate Earth Day.
This year on April 22 make a point of celebrating celebrate Earth Day. You can use alternative modes of transportation all day, like walking, riding bikes or taking the bus. Sign up your family for a park cleanup, go on a nature scavenger hunt and create a collage from items you find in nature, and end the night eating dinner by candlelight. There are so many ways to celebrate Earth Day, so be creative and have fun!
Regan Lyons is a girl mom and freelance writer. She lives with her husband, Cale, and daughters, Atley, 8, and Ensley, 2, in St. Joseph, Missouri.