A carbon footprint represents how human activities affect the climate in terms of greenhouse gas emissions, which are measured in units of carbon dioxide, according to the Global Development Research Center, a U.S.-based nonprofit think tank. Many daily activities produce carbon emissions, which can contribute to global warming and climate change. Children who learn to reduce their carbon footprint early on can help create a more sustainable and healthy world for their own generation and generations to come.
Step 1
Teach children to switch off lights when they leave a room. Also ask them to unplug electronics---including laptops, televisions, and cell phone chargers---when no one is using them. You can plug several electronics into a power strip, so the child can turn them all off with only one switch.
Step 2
Recycle in the home. By recycling 32 percent of municipal solid waste, Americans reduce greenhouse gas emissions by almost 200 million tons a year, according to the National Recycling Coalition. Set up containers in your kitchen or outside for plastic, aluminum, and cardboard and paper. Ask children to rinse plastic and aluminum items thoroughly before placing them in the appropriate bin.
Step 3
Ask children to use both sides of sheets of paper, and set up a box for scrap paper that you can reuse for taking notes or making lists. The average American uses more than 700 pounds of paper every year, which is more per capita than in any other country, according to the environmental website The Daily Green. Teach your children to print documents only when necessary and to conserve paper whenever possible.
Step 4
Ride bicycles or walk with your children when running short errands. You and your children will stretch your muscles, improve your cardiovascular fitness and help reduce carbon emissions by not taking the car whenever possible.
Step 5
Buy used goods at thrift stores or yard sales whenever possible. Explain to your children that the production of new goods increases carbon emissions. At first they might not want to wear second-hand clothes, but if you find items that are fashionable and affordable, your kids might come around. Take them along when you go shopping for a replacement coffee maker or toaster. When they see how much you can stretch your dollar buying used goods, they'll more than likely share your excitement for thrift-store shopping while helping to heal the planet.
Step 6
Give your children canvas or cloth bags for use at the grocery store, farmers market or drug store. Teach them to reduce their carbon footprint by not using plastic or paper bags provided at many retail establishments. You can even decorate the bags by painting or embroidering their names or embellishing them with "green" imagery such as flowers, trees and animals.
Member Comments