Blue-green drawings of the earth decorate family refrigerators this month as children learn about Earth Day. Held worldwide on April 22, it’s a terrific opportunity to talk about the beauty and fragility of our planet and what kids can do to sustain our environment. This year, the theme is ‘Our Power, Our Planet’, with a focus on acting to address climate change and support renewable energy.
One issue to which children can easily relate is ‘zero-waste’. They enjoy figuring out how to do something without generating trash. Challenge kids to pack zero-waste lunches or snacks for a week. Explain that this means no plastic utensils, plastic bags, cardboard cartons, or other materials that they would typically throw away when they are done. Provide reusable containers and cloth napkins and, if possible, access to a compost box for food scraps. Reflect together on what is easy and what is challenging about a zero-waste approach. Identify how you will continue to reduce waste together after your week-long experiment.
Another easy-to-understand concept is ‘green habits’. Explain that many basic activities, such as lighting a room, washing dishes and hands, and even drawing pictures on paper rely on energy production. When we reduce our energy usage, we are being ‘green’. Encourage children to make a checklist of things they can do to reduce energy. Their list might include turning off lights when they leave a room, using less paper by drawing on both sides, and limiting how long they shower. Suggest that they track their green habits for a week and then reflect on how well they did. Celebrate their successes with a low-energy using activity, such as playing outdoors or making a no-bake dessert for dinner.
Planting something is a common Earth Day activity for all ages. This year, invite kids to research ways that the trees and other seedlings they plant are important for the environment. Note which animals (in addition to humans) like to eat carrots and kale, identify the kind of birds and other animals that make trees their homes, and reflect on the ways that various plants help clean our air. With older children, suggest that they determine which kinds of plants would most benefit your area and then plant some of them as a gift to your community.
Picking up litter is another tried-and-true Earth Day practice. Suggest that children cleanup an area and talk about the damaging effects of trash on the environment. Ask them what might happen if a duck or a snake tried to eat a plastic bottle cap. Wonder whether grass can grow under a blanket of discarded paper wrappers. Speculate on the effects of chemical runoff for fish and drinking water. You might also brainstorm possible solutions for keeping trash and other toxins contained, such as additional waste bins or stronger laws preventing dumping.
Finally, conduct a family or group energy audit. Pay careful attention to how energy is being used in your environment. Note how many unused items are plugged in and where lights are burning. Check thermostats to see if they are set at optimal temperatures. Notice open doors and windows and whether they help or hinder energy use. Then agree to reduce energy waste by addressing any problems you find.
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