If current reports are correct, the environment is in need of a great deal of help. So why not encourage everyone to get involved – especially children. Involving kids in taking care of the environment is very important for two reasons: first, children and child-driven activities are a major consumer of energy in the UK, and second, children will inherit the earth from us so it is important that they know how to care for it. Here are some easy suggestions specifically targeted to the younger generations.

Ways You Can Help Save Energy

1. Do your classroom lights stay on even when everyone has left for a break? You can help conserve energy by volunteering to turn out the lights whenever your entire class has left the room. Even better, if your room has large windows you can recommend that the lights are turned off in favour of natural light on a sunny day. Offer more encouragement to your teacher by reminding them that not only will this save energy, it can also create a calmer learning environment.

2. Pack your lunches in reusable containers. This step may require the help of your parents, who you should ask to purchase the reusable containers. However, you will be the one with the biggest responsibility – remembering to bring the containers home each day. By taking your lunch in reusable containers, you will keep a lot of trash out of the landfills.

3. Check for drafts and leaky windows. Make an afternoon game out of walking through your home with a ribbon. Hold the ribbon up to windows and doors to see if it blows around. If it does, let your parents know that heat is escaping so that they can get the leak fixed.

4. Organize a tree-planting event in your garden or even throughout your neighbourhood and recruit your family and friends to help.

5. Always turn off electrical items after you are finished using them and take it upon yourself to turn them off if someone else forgets.

6. Start an environmental club at your school. Talk to your teacher and see if they can help by providing environmental activities and resources.

Ways You Can Help Save Water

1. Instead of running the water when you brush your teeth, use a cup. This will save 2-5 gallons of water for every brushing!

2. Reuse your water glass and any other dishes that you can during the day. Since it can take 8 to 15 gallons of water to run the dishwasher, your effort to use fewer dishes will save a lot of water.

3. Instead of taking a bath, take a shower and be sure to keep it short. You may be using 17-24 gallons of water every time you bathe, so every moment counts. Next time you take a shower try not to dawdle. You can even make a game out of it by setting an egg timer and seeing if you can beat the clock.

4. Try to keep your clothes clean and don’t put them in the hamper unless they are actually dirty. Just because something is worn, doesn’t make it dirty. Next time you change out of your clothes, ask yourself if the items can be worn again or if they have to be washed. It can take 35 to 50 gallons of water to run one load in the washing machine, so wearing a pair of jeans for two days can make a big difference.