Teach Them to Grow
There’s nothing better when it comes to appreciating the planet than playing in the dirt. Teach your kids where their food comes from and how to grow it. Not only are you giving them a skill that will serve them well for the rest of their lives, but the best-tasting vegetables and fruits are the ones you grow yourself.
If you have the available space, consider raising animals too. Even in residential areas, you can sometimes keep small animals like chickens or ducks for meat and eggs.
Make sure you check with your local code enforcement office before you start buying hatchlings.
Demonstrate Compassion
Everyone should learn compassion, regardless of your age, background or any other variable. If you want your children to appreciate the planet, teach them to have empathy for every living thing, from the smallest insect on the ground to the giant tree in the backyard and everything in between. Compassion is not limited to human beings or animals that we think are cute, nor should it be.
If we want to protect the planet, we need to show it a little bit of kindness. It might look like a big blue rock spinning through space, but it’s a living and breathing thing.
If we want to have it around for a long time to take care of us, we need to look after it in return.
Appreciate the Planet
It doesn’t take much to reduce our impact on the planet. A few little changes here and there in every household will add up to massive changes across the world. This planet is the only one we have, and it’s the one we will leave behind for our children. We need to teach the next generation how to protect this little blue marble that we call home.
Emily is the editor of Conservation Folks and a sustainability and conservation blogger. Follow her on Twitter to see the latest updates.
