Global warming is worsening at an alarming rate, and extreme weather patterns are becoming more common. Our future, and the planet’s future, lie in the hands of the future generation, and it is up to us to teach them how to protect our environment and why an eco-friendly lifestyle is important.
Infographic Provided By Solar Panel Installation Maryland Company, Sunburst Solar
Below are 6 things to do for encouraging your kids to be more eco-friendly in different aspects of their lives.
1. Spending More Time Outdoors
Spending time in the great outdoors does wonders to kids, and it helps to cultivate respect and love for nature, which are important for adopting an eco-friendly lifestyle. Plenty of opportunities to teach valuable lessons about environmental protection will also present themselves.
Whether it’s a camping trip or just playing in the park, these activities contribute to developing their love for this planet, and if they love it, they will want to protect it the best they can.
2. Dress Them in Ethical Fashion
Ethical fashion minimizes the negative impacts the fashion industry has on our planet, and it also strives to be socially responsible. Tell your kids how they can help protect the environment by wearing responsibly made clothes, and show them that they can look as cool (or even cooler) by wearing them.
Ask them what they like and find eco-friendly alternatives in a similar style. This way, your kids will like their new clothes and be more willing to buy from sustainable brands in the future. So, next time you’re shopping for your whole family, consider opting for sustainable sneakers or t-shirts made with organic cotton.
3. Start Recycling
Recycling helps our planet because recycled waste can be repurposed, which decreases waste and pollution.
Teach your kids the importance of recycling and how it helps with environmental protection. Get dedicated bins for each type of recycled waste in your house, and teach them how to sort trash.
This is easy to do and could be fun for kids. By cultivating an eco-friendly habit from a young age, these good habits will have a better chance of sticking around after they grow up.
4. Conserve Energy & Water
Tell your kids how electricity is generated, and let your kids know that they can help decrease the emission of greenhouse gas and pollution by simply turning off the lights when they leave a room and turning the tap off when they’re finished with brushing their teeth.
This is a simple habit to cultivate, and one that will leave a positive effect on them and our planet. Plus, you might see a decrease in your utility bills if you successfully get them to do it. Win-win!
5. Encourage the Use of Eco-Friendly Transportation Methods
Explain to your kids about air pollution and how means of transportation other than driving could help minimize that.
When you’re going somewhere nearby, opt for walking or biking and take your kids along with you. Do it often, and your kids will get used to this way of getting around. This way, you can save some fuel and your kids will get a healthy dose of exercise more often.
6. Set Yourself Up as an Example
Kids are absorbent sponges. They take in new information fast, and they are also quick to mimic your actions.
If you want to encourage them to adopt a sustainable lifestyle, you have to do it first and do it with them. By setting yourself up as a role model of eco-friendly living, you show your kids how to protect our planet, and they will likely follow your example.
These 6 things are a great step towards eco-friendly living, and they are also great starting points for kids to start learning about sustainability. Take your time, explain to them the importance of environmental protection, and don’t forget to make it fun. This way, you can raise your kids to be responsible human beings who care about the consequences of their actions and our one and only planet.
