| Only Kids can get parents to go green |
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Only Kids can get parents to go green If you knew what you were doing was hurting the kids at your dinner table, would you change your ways? I have come to the conclusion that the older generation need to be educated about the environment and how to fix the mess we have made for our children. Being green is about taking action and a little step. Not being green is being lazy for the most part - not to separate the garbage; turn off the engine when parked; to use pesticides as the lazy way to weed the lawn; etc. Who will adults listen to though? It is the younger generation that will pursuade the older generation to do what is right for the environment and for their future. Adults have learned to 'consume more' and not to think about waste. And I have seen it is going to be tough to change their habits but it needs to be done. It makes me sad when I see people idling their cars for 10-20 minutes when a cars engine is used to move the car not to make it sit still! I see some houses putting out 4 or 5 or even 6 bags of garbage a week! I see people fertilizing their lawns to kill off 3 weeds that could be easily plucked out. Why? Because that is the lifesytle they are used to and they dont know any better. So to all the kids out there, it is your job to educate your parents! That's right, the tables are turned now. You need to open their eyes and make them see they can do what is right. Here is their first lessons to start the new year: a) IDLING THE CAR is polluting and emitting poisons that people around them are inhaling. They have the power to stop it, it takes work, but they have to turn the key..OFF! Fact: Idling cars more than 20 seconds is unnecessary with todays cars and turning the car on uses the same amount of gas as idling 10 seconds. b) Teach the family that there are ways to recyle more and cut garbage in half in each house ( recycle more...1 bag garbage per week is possible for most households!); Picture that: 1 bag/week=52 bags/year and 4 bags = over 200 bags/year, enough bags piled up to cover your entire lawn! c) Turn off the lights when not in use & install flourescent bulbs throughout the house; Fact: the easiest thing we can all do NOW is to conserve energy. It is easier than buying alternative / clean energy and we can all do it. d) Are you buying a new car in the future? Then resolve right now that you will drive your car as is BUT commit that when it is time to buy a new one, you promise to your kids that you will buy a hybrid or other eco-friendly car that is friendlier to the neighbours lungs and the environment. Don't buy a gas guzzling CO2 machine! A message to parents...If you love your kids...LISTEN TO THEM! I know you wouldn't do anything to harm them...so conserve energy, reduce waste and don't pollute. Your kids will be proud of you, now and in the future, that you were part of the solution. Now pass this on to 1 million other people and lets get the schools to put this plan into action and then we will see real results. Steve |
