TOP TEN TIPS FOR KIDS

What you do absolutely makes a difference. Tell your parents, friends and siblings why helping the environment is important. Be a Green Leader at home and at school.

1. Change a light bulb – help your parents change to CFL bulbs.

2. Drive less, drive smart – tell your parents you’d rather walk or bike.

3. Start an environmental club at your school.

4. Reduce your water use - watch those long showers!

5. Reduce the amount of paper you use – “Think, don’t print!”

6. Turn off “vampire” electric devices in your room and in your house.

7. Eat locally and/or organically grown food.

8. Help your parents garden without chemicals. Plant a tree.

9. Reduce, reuse, and recycle. Buy less, use less.

10. Be part of the solution.

TOP TEN TIPS FOR PARENTS

Follow the basic Top Ten List above, but explain the importance of each action to your children, and get them involved in every possible way.

1. Change a light bulb – have your kids help you switch to CFL bulbs.

2. Drive less, drive smart – encourage your children to bike and walk.

3. Reduce your home’s heating/cooling needs – look at your bill together.

4. Reduce your water use – discourage long showers and running water.

5. Buy energy efficient electronics and appliances – teach children why.

6. Turn off “vampire” electric devices – don’t forget those in kids’ rooms.

7. Buy locally and/or organically grown food – for their health and the earth’s.

8. Plant a tree and grow a green garden – keep your yard chemical free.

9. Reduce, reuse, and recycle – every day, always. Buy less, use less.

10. Be part of the solution – help your child feel like he/she is, too.

1. Model and teach respect for nature always.

2. Help your child develop a love of nature by choosing nature-based activities and vacations - birding, hiking, camping, canoeing, National Parks, etc.

3. Go on bike rides, walks, park visits and forest preserve explorations.

4. Limit electronic screen time because it limits out door play and uses energy, and energy pollutes.

5. Feed your children local and/or organic food when possible. Take them to a farmers market.

6. Make energy savings a family project. Have children select jobs like turning off lights.

7. Choose TV shows and movies that teach your child about nature and the world.

8. Limit gifts and choose with the gift’s environmental impact in mind.

9. Make sure your child understands where the trash and recycling goes and how long things take to decompose.

10. Help your children see that they can make a difference.