Earth Protect Blog

Saving the earth is a deeply personal, every-day commitment. With all the information out there, why isn't it getting done? Following 10 simple steps will help reverse the trend for good.

Approximately every ten years, a cycle repeats itself in the movement to save the earth.

With each catastrophe, we hear renewed calls to tighten our belts and to do what we can to save the environment.

Yet, the numbers don't lie. We, as a world of intelligent people, are not heeding the call with the necessary sense of urgency.

The latest Harris Poll indicates recycling services are now available to 95 percent of the people in the United States. About 75% say they actively participate in the program.

Who are the main culprits? You might be surprised at the answer. About three in 10 respondents aged 18 to 30 said they don't separate their glass, aluminum, and paper from their garbage, compared with 19 percent of seniors aged 62 and older.

One can argue progress can be seen by analyzing the numbers; however, they point to a disturbing trend. In a world where more information is at your fingertips than ever before, younger Americans are not "getting it" as much as they should.

If we are to save the planet for the young, we must effectively teach our children to save themselves. Students are learning about the environment in school. But that's not enough. Parents, these days, are often too consumed by their work to teach children how to "walk the walk." Study after study has shown most effective time to mold behavior is at an early age. We must do our part.

There are ten simple things we, as parents, can do to make certain children understand not only why saving the earth is important, but how to do it.
1) Car pool or walk
2) Recycle
3) Take a field trip to a recycling plant or thrift store
4) Hang up clothes instead of putting them in the dryer
5) Use recycled products
6) Take short showers instead of baths
7) Keep electronics out of the trash
8) Take part in Earth Day activities
9) Borrow instead of buying
10) Have your child articulate each step and why it's important when he or she observes you doing it

There is no way to guarantee your child will keep up the habits, but by "walking the walk," you can greatly increase the possibility of it.

Saving the earth is a deeply personal, 365-day per year commitment. Once the child gets it, and passes it on his or her children, we greatly increase the likelihood of not repeating the cycle... the cycle of indifference.