Unless they’ve been living under a rock, most kids have heard about Global Warming.
If you ask an 8-year-old to explain why this is an important issue, you might get this reply: Help Save Penguins.
They might not be able to explain it scientifically, but most have made the connection between air pollution, the melting of the Polar Ice Caps, and the loss of habitats.
It’s an issue that kids care about, making it an excellent choice for the Girl Scouts and QSP/Reader’s Digest Be A Reader Service Program and Fund Raiser.
It’s such a topical issue, and of such critical importance, that our Girl Scout Service Unit has decided to mount a Go Green Event to, hopefully, inspire young activists.
Using the Girl Scouts’ new leadership model guideline, we’re Going Green in three steps: Discover, Connect, and Take Action. We’ll learn about the issue, connect with others with a similar interest, and finally, support the girls in their efforts to Go Green.
Like the girls, I’m discovering that there are lots of resources for learning and inspiring us to Go Green.
Discover Going Green
Our Girl Scouts Council has provided us with a brochure titled, “Be a Reader Go Green! Observe & Conserve Activity Booklet: Discover, Connect, and Take Action to keep our world environment healthy.”
For those of us in Girl Scouts, the Go Green! Activity Booklet is a great start as it provides ideas for “fun and enriching leadership activities for girls.”
It’s a good introduction, if you have access to it, but it’s not enough to understand this complex topic.
Inform Yourself
Before you can recruit activists, it helps to be passionate – or at least, knowledgeable – about the cause yourself.
I’ll admit, I haven’t yet read two of the most influential books on climate change: Hot, Flat, and Crowded by Thomas L. Friedman or Al Gore’s An Inconvenient Truth. I haven’t even seen the movie version.
These are all on my ever-growing “To Do” pile. In the meantime, I’ve taken a few shortcuts to understanding the current crisis:
Al Gore: “New Thinking On The Climate Crisis” – A Ted Talks You Tube Video, filmed April 8, 2008, in which Al Gore:
… presents evidence that the pace of climate change may be even worse than scientists were recently predicting, and challenges us to act with a sense of “generational mission” — the kind of feeling that brought forth the civil rights movement — to set it right.
Thomas Friedman: Time Magazine: “10 Questions for Tom Friedman;” and The Aspen Ideas Festival Presentation “Hot, Flat, & Crowded: Why We Need a Green Revolution,” Pt. 1, Pt. 2, and Pt. 3.
Informing Kids About Going Green – Books
Some kids may be willing to sit down and read a book on this subject. If so, these are a few good books for kids:
The Down-to-Earth Guide to Global Warming by Laurie David and Cambria Gordon. From a review by Tom Lusted, age 15, in the science magazine, Odyssey, about this book:
…is loaded with information. Knowing about global warming alone won’t help, but doing something about it could make you “cool” on the inside and maybe on the outside as well.
An Inconvenient Truth: The Crisis of Global Warming by Al Gore. (Adaptation of the Adult Book for Grades 5-8) With “striking visuals” to illustrate “accelerating changes in temperature and precipitation patterns worldwide” this book is sure to convince young readers to think globally, but act locally to address the climate crisis.
Generation Green: The Ultimate Teen Guide to Living an Eco-Friendly Life by Linda Siverstein and son, Tosh Siverstein. I’m currently reading this book but it’s written for a teen audience, who will be inspired to use the many ideas – big and small – to make a difference in their world.
Informing Kids About Going Green – You Tube Videos
Personally, I’ve found that You Tube Videos are an easy way to initiate interest in an unfamiliar topic.
Start out with a little humor with these Earth To America! comedy skits on climate change: The Blue Man Group as they “Thank You For Using Earth As Your Planetary Vehicle,” and “Jack Black Earth To America.”
Then, share an informative video. There are many options for free, informative videos about climate change on You Tube, but these are stellar:
Global Warming 101 – National Geographic’s video explains that global warming won’t just melt polar ice, it’ll displace people around the world.
Global Warming: How Humans Are Affecting Our Planet – NASA eClip that discusses the role people play in causing global warming.
Informing Kids About Going Green – Online Sites
There are also lots of fantastic web sites with information and interactive features that are excellent for getting kids to think about what they can do to take action.
What’s Up With The Weather? – Nova and Frontline site where you can explore the Global Warming Debate, and find out how to reduce your Carbon Footprint.
Global Warming and Climate Change For Kids – A scientific explanation for kids, with even more links for further study.
The EPA Climate Change Kids’ Site – Explanations, Games and Climate Animations.
Environment Issues on DoSomething.org – Get quick facts on Go Green issues.
Carbon Footprint – Calculate your carbon footprint, and find out how to reduce it.
Fight Global Warming – Learn about the dangers and the science of global warming from the Environmental Defense Fund.
For more fabulous Green sites, take a look at The 30 Best Eco Sites On The Web.
Your Turn: How are you Going Green?
Okay, now that you have the tools to inform yourself and your children, what’s next? How will you connect with others to Go Green?
On October 22, our Girl Scout community will gather to share ideas for Going Green. We’ll be rotating through learning activity centers where we’ll craft: recycled paper, bird feeders, denim pocket magnets, twine jewelry, and reusable grocery bags.
If you have any suggestions for activities that we could or should do at this event, I’d love to hear it. Just post a comment.
More on Going Green from On Living By Learning:
Did You Hug A Tree Today? – Girl Scouts plant trees on National Public Lands Day.
Living By Learning About Blog Action Day – On Blog Action Day, Oct. 15, 2007, thousands of blogs around the world united on one topic – the Environment.
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{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
What a great way to ensure the upcoming generation has a better understanding and willingness to help the environment! Great advice.
I agree with teaching kids about “gong green” ( I am getting tired of hearing that term). I also think we should teach them about the economy and how many people are using GW as a big money grab.
Good point! Frankly, conservation of resources and reduction of consumerism are inextricably tied. Even my 9-year-old son gets it! See his blog post on Consumerism and Poster Boy:
http://spedr.com/1tfld
yueah thats really important
Here’s an example of a teacher that took Discover, Connect, and Take Action to heart. It’s the Miss Colina episode – it’s a short video about a third grade teacher that inspired kids to start a green team at her school.
it’s at iturnedgreen dot com
Bill – That’s great! Thanks for sharing.
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