Why Being a Green Role Model is Important for Future Generations

Art provided by Katie m. Berggren at Etsy

Whether at home or in the classroom, I often find myself blurting out, "It's organic" when I serve something that is, indeed, organic. It always opens up the discussion as to what organic is and why it's important.  But, I also share my feelings about being green, about the importance of recycling, about purchasing wisely and consuming less.

Being a role model to the next generation is important in every sense.  But being a green role model is a little extra special.

Here are two reasons we absolutely need to be green role models for children and teens (and tips on how to do it):

1. Children need to understand that healthy soil brings about healthy produce and then, healthy bodies.  Nothing is more eye-opening an experience than having children get their hands in the soil and planting their own mini-garden.  By watching herbs and vegetables grow from seeds, they will learn to appreciate what a labor of love it is to raise healthy produce for healthy consumption.  Another suggestion is to take a guided tour of your local recycling center.  There, children will learn what happens to the soil and air when garbage is not disposed of properly.
2. The future is entirely in their hands.  Today's children will be future entrepreneurs and CEOs.  By the time they run companies and manufacture new products, we won't have to worry about labeling them as green, because they automatically will be. Make your own cleaning products, make your own clothes, make your own art supplies, make your own food.  Reduce, reuse and recycle.  Talk about the process and the importance of toxic-free, waste-free products.  Do it daily.  Do it often.  Before long, it will just be second nature to them.

How are you a green role model for the next generation?


Related articles on this blog:

What the Recycling Pamphlets Don't Tell You (AKA: What I Learned From Visiting a Recycling Plant)
Three Ways to Ease Into Eco-Friendly Cleaning by Stephanie Housman
Handmade?  Who Cares?  by Patty Bachorz
Know Your Food by Nikki Gerlach
The Basics of Eco-Fashion: Or 7 Ways to Be a Conscious Shopper by Annching Wang
When Are We Going to Stop Being Taken Advantage Of?

Resources for you:

Healthy Babies and Children (my Pinterest board with links to AMAZING resources for green and healthy role modeling)
Back to School Eco-Style (my Pinterest board with more links for eco-healthy children)