Environmental Issues - Our Kids' Reality

Please read the post shown below. It was posted today by Doreen from her blog, Mom Goes Green. I had to share because it's such a touching post- sweet and eye-opening.

Save the website because it's awesome. Then, read all the posts on the blog because you're awesome. Then, tell everyone you know because you want to help the world be awesome.

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Environmental Issues - Our Kids' Reality

By: Dorren from MomGoesGreen(dot)com

The other night while I was looking at my Twitter account, our daughter snuggled up next to me on the couch. Within 10 seconds she said “Aww, Mommy. Thank you!”

I couldn’t imagine what prompted that little show of love, but I sure did enjoy it! I said “you’re welcome, but thank you for what, honey?” She said “That, Mommy!” and pointed to the quote on my Twitter page that read: “I’m just trying to do my part to help make the world a better place for my children.” At that moment, I realized that what I’m doing (and what we’re ALL doing) really does make a difference.

Ironically, this comment came on the heels of reading a recent study on kids’ fears about the environment. While they should be worrying more about playing with their friends, homework, watching their favorite TV shows or earning a sweet treat after dinner, these fears about our world are very real to them.

This study, commissioned by Habitat Heroes, uncovered some interesting facts, including:

• 1 in 3 children (ages 6-11) fear that the planet won’t exist when they grown up
• More than half (56%) believe the Earth will not be as good a place to live
• Girls worry more than boys, but overall, kids in metro areas worry more than those in rural settings
• 28% say they fear the extinction of animals more than anything else
• Nearly 25% worry about enough safe drinking water

The results don’t surprise me, because this is a part of their reality, and it’s also a reminder that they are “listening” and know that concerns truly exist in today’s world. Had you asked any of us these questions when we were 8, I don’t imagine the worry would have been as great (if there at all).

(Habitat Heroes has also developed a great site for kids to learn, play and find ideas to help the environment. If they are afraid, maybe this will help them to learn and discover ways to help.)

But my favorite result was this: An amazing 95% of the children believe that their parents are trying to save the environment by recycling, using reusable batteries and conserving electricity and water.

Whether that is true or not, I believe the message is this… they believe in us, so we have to do our best not to let them down.

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Good stuff. Again, check out Mom Goes Green and spread the word!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!