Green Options » activism with children

Win a Copy of Tracking Trash: Flotsam, Jetsam, and the Science of Ocean Motion

Jennifer Lance — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 18:18:17 +0000

Earlier this week, Kelli wrote a post called “Teaching Kids About Trash“, in which she asked her high school sustainability class, “When you throw something away, where does it go?” “Away” is the topic of Tracking Trash: Flotsam, Jetsam, and the Science of Motion by Loree Griffin Burns. Based on the research program of oceanographer Dr. Curtis Ebbesmeyer, Tracking Trash chronicles the journey of trash in our oceans (Be sure to read to the end of this post in order to learn how to win your own copy of Tracking Trash).

What do ocean currents have to do with preserving our marine environment? Dr. Curtis Ebbesmeyer became inspired to study this topic when his mother saw an article about hundreds of sneakers washing up on the beaches near Seattle. Dr. Ebbesmeyer wanted to discover the origin of the shoes. He stated,

Tracking toys and sneakers gives us a chance to see what the ocean does with our trash. We can see the movement of trash by the great ocean currents and we can see the disintegration of the trash over time…and we can learn from it.

Five Tips For Talking To Your Children About Climate Change

Kelli Best-Oliver — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 18:49:06 +0000

If you’re reading this blog, you probably are aware of climate change. More than likely, your kids have heard about it, too, whether it be at school, from friends, or from the media. Naturally, kids are going to have questions about things that they hear. But how to talk to your kids about global warming without giving them nightmares?

1. Be age appropriate. Very young children (early elementary, preschool, and younger) might not be ready for the negative details. Focus on instilling a love of and stewardship for the environment by encouraging outside play and the three Rs (reduce, reuse, recycle) in your home. When talking to older elementary students, use that same stewardship as a jumping off point for talking about how our actions impact the climate, and how climate change will impact life on the planet. Take action as a family, and spend time together outside. Pre-teens and teens are more likely to be able to understand the global effects of climate change. They’re also capable of more extensive dialogue on the subject and activism on the issue if they feel passionate about it. Show your adolescent the myriad of ways people are acting on behalf of the environment and encourage them to investigate further, write letters, change their actions, or participate in protests.

It’s Time to Make a Call for Peace

Jennifer Lance — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 22:11:00 +0000

Well, I apologize for being so political this week,but I can’t help it.

At a recent United Nations summit meeting there was special session focused on improving the lives of the world’s children. It was agreed that no authentic progress would be made until one fundamental question had been addressed: how do we get the people of one nation to actually care about the children of another nation?

From (M)other, MAU Live: Theatre for Empowerment

Mother’s Acting Up is calling on Americans to telephone every day for the next week our senators and representatives to demand we stop funding the war. A sample message suggested by Mother’s Acting Up is:
“My name is ______, I am a Mother Acting Up and I passionately urge the Senator/Representative to vote NO on the Iraq War supplemental spending bill. One of many reasons to Vote NO is: _______________. This war is not making our children safer; vote NO on more war funding. Thank you.” (If you want to add a Mama Grizzly Bear growl to further get your point across, go for it.)

In addition, Mother’s Acting Up suggests we take action with our children.
Chalk messages for Peace in public places with your children and/or friends. Bring activism into the daily life of your family. Along with beautiful peace signs and words of peace, give a call to action: “Ask Representative X at xxx-xxxx to VOTE NO on WAR FUNDING, for children’s sake!” I like this suggestion for involving children in protest, as I have been hesitant to take my children to marches. Too often, these marches turn violent, and I want my children to learn there are peaceful methods of expressing your opinion and bringing about change.

In a related study, the Institute of War and Peace Reporting suggests that Iraqi classrooms are in chaos, and the war may be creating a generation of ignorant civilians.

Iraq’s education system was once the equal of almost anything in the Middle East, a rare bright-spot in Saddam Hussein’s brutal rule. But a decade of war with Iran, then the first Gulf War and a decade of sanctions left it in ruins. Only half of Iraq’s children were in school by the end of the 1990s.

International donors made restoring education a priority after 2003, but in an atmosphere when college professors carry guns, it’s hardly surprising that reconstruction has taken second place to just staying alive.

I promise, after Monday (when I will be discussing child soldiers) I will return to toys and green living posts. Sometimes I have a hard time keeping politics out of my mind when the world’s children are affected.