The Next Generation of Green

By Rachel Tanis


It always takes a while for something to catch on or fizzle out. It’s our job to make sure that the generations coming after us understand the importance of living a green life, and not think that this movement is a fad. Many companies and businesses are doing their part to ensure that the youngest among us are growing up green. Here’s how their doing it, and some suggestions for how you can help.

Nickelodeon will celebrate this Earth Day by asking its viewers to unplug and turn off energy consuming items that are not necessary for one hour on April 22nd. The kid-focused network is encouraging its viewers to turn off or unplug video games, lights, cell phones, anything that draws energy and can be done without. This is a great idea because it encourages little ones to have their parents help them go green. What a better motivator for a parent than his or her own child? In addition, at this year’s Kids Choice Awards, Nickelodeon will give away its first ever “Big Green Help Award” to someone who has done much for the environment: Leonardo DiCaprio.

The Disney Channel is not to be left out. Their green spokesman, Wilder Valderrama (aka – Fez of “That 70’s Show” fame) does several commercial-like announcements throughout the programming to promote everything from simple energy savings (like reminding little ones of the importance of turning off the lights when they leave a room) to more involved projects like gardening and recycling. Valderrama’s Spanish heritage helps him convey his message in a bilingual approach, telling his audience that he’s living “la vida verde,” or “living the green life.”

Groups like Green Kids Inc. travel the world putting on entertaining hours of shows that teach children about everything from global warming to being responsible for their carbon footprint – no matter how tiny their shoes may be right now! Green Kids will perform for any audience, but it specializes in elementary school performances.

The web is not short on green influences for children either. Websites like KidsBeGreen.org feature creative characters to help teach the principals of green living, printable worksheets and coloring pages, activity suggestions, and games focused on promoting the green life. More nationally recognized sites like National Geographic’s, have dedicated entire sections of their pages to children’s understanding of environmental causes. National Geographic’s site features stories and videos, many showcasing its zany Zipper the Chihuahua character, telling kids about simple green steps they can take to better green living and showing them what they are protecting. Most of the content here is upbeat and teaches children that our amazing world is worth keeping.

Many children’s books have been written and illustrated to get the message across as well. Children as young as infants can enjoy hearing stories like “William the Garbage Truck and Crew: William Is Going Green,” by James Martin II and Don Berry, while other ones might enjoy Julie Hall and Sarah Lane’s, “A Hot Planet Needs Cool Kids.”

No matter the medium used to expose kids to green living, none will prove more powerful than a living example. You are never too old or too young, too involved or uninvolved, to influence someone younger than you. Your example can be as simple as waiting to throw your trash into a can instead of on the road, or as elaborate as organizing a great of children to clean up a park. Remember that a big part of green living is making sure that it doesn’t end with you. Or your generation.