The world’s climate is changing. It’s up to each person to make sure it doesn’t get worse. If you’re a parent, you want to make sure the world gets better for the next generation. Many parents teach their children the value of being friendly to the environment, even at a young age. If you want to do the same for your kids, this is what you have to know.
Waste Management
After teaching them their ABCs, it’s essential to teach children how to segregate garbage. Identifying whether something is recyclable, biodegradable, or others can instill the idea that not all trash is created equal. Explain to them how some waste materials can be more harmful than others. Take it to the next level and make a game out of it. Even older kids and other adults can join in if you establish a scoring system for your waste management — they get points when they use the right bin for the right trash.
Of course, this also means that you have to take recycling seriously. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the recovery rate for recycling in the country was only at 35.2 percent in 2017 (their latest numbers). That means everyone still has a long way to go to make sure recycling is maximized. Teaching your kids this lesson early can create a ripple effect that will hopefully influence how they approach waste management throughout their adulthood.
Green Space
Green spaces are incredibly important for both people and the environment. According to a paper posted on the National Library of Medicine, green spaces help promote good mental health. These spaces are also known to promote better social cohesion in communities. You can leverage these benefits in your backyard by maintaining green space for the family. Your kids will learn to appreciate nature more as they spend their afternoons in your own green space.
If it sounds like too much work, you can always count on professionals. There are contractors like Lake Kountry Inc. that use eco-friendly materials and methods to make sure landscapes are suitable for both people and the environment.
You can also take the gardening approach and learn to plant flowers or vegetables in your backyard. Bringing the children in with this activity can teach them the value of growing and taking care of plants. It won’t be surprising if they develop an itch for gardening themselves when they grow up.
Footprint
There are many ways you can reduce your family’s carbon footprint. It’s important to explain every single one of these ways to your kids, too. The more they understand the reasoning behind them, the more they’ll also feel invested.
Conserve energy by turning off appliances and devices when not in use. You can also switch out all your incandescent bulbs to more energy-efficient LED ones.
Use less paper. Check whether you can opt to receive your bills through email instead of the actual mail. Make sure you also buy recycled paper for your home use.
Lessen water use as well. Teach your children the importance of turning off the faucet when they’re brushing their teeth.
These small things stack up and create an impact on the environment and for your children’s futures.
