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Subscribe to The Chatterbox's blogApril 21, 2009
Earth Day excitement
So, I was waiting at the bus station the other day and this older woman unwraps a Werther’s Original Caramel (how perfect) and throws the wrapper on the ground. I look at her, she looks at me. I look at the wrapper on the ground, turn my head, and look at the trash can behind her. I look back at the woman, who is still staring at me, and then I glance back down at the wrapper. I think she got the point, but being as old as she was, I still had to pick up the wrapper and throw it out.
With that in mind, tomorrow is Earth Day! I bet everyone is getting ready to use their reusable lunch bags, turn off and unplug unused electronics, purchase only organic foods, and do anything else you can think of to save the earth… for one day.
Earth Day is a holiday that is majorly overlooked by the general public. It shouldn’t even be a holiday anymore; it should be common sense and a daily goal. There are so many times that I see the above example happen and everyone just turns a blind eye. A question I find myself asking friends when at their apartment/home is if they recycle. It amazes me at the amount of people who don’t. And THAT is just about the easiest step in helping out the environment. Just because you don’t have recycle pick up at your place doesn’t mean you can’t separate your own recyclables and take them to a drop off. You even get paid out of this effort, even if it’s just pocket change.
Going green is a trend you shouldn’t be ashamed of following. Here at FamilyEducation, we have great information on what you can do to start making the right steps towards a greener lifestyle.
Here are just a few EASY things you can do to start making the right changes.
I am interested, and I am sure others are too, at what you do to help out the earth. Share your ideas so the going green trend can become even more contagious!
The story with the old lady litterbug reminds me of two recent tales from my own life I’d like to share. First, I will mention that I currently live in Costa Rica and secondly that I live in San Jose where there is a lot of litter. This is not the case on the beaches, in the mountains, or pretty much anywhere that isn’t the city, but that’s not the point of my stories.
So, I was on the bus a while ago, casually people-watching my fellow bus riders, when I saw a little girl finish a bag of chips and try to give the trash to her mother. The mother then instructed her to throw it out the window. The girl followed orders and after watching the plastic bag disappear out the window, returned to her seated position with a big ole grin on. Ugh! -I was so utterly disgusted at the idea of a child being TAUGHT to litter.
My second story, which is much more encouraging, is about the exact opposite. I was sitting on a bench in town when I saw a mother and daughter walking down the street and the daughter took the last swig of her Coke. She placed the cap carefully back on the plastic bottle and tossed it right into the street. The mother swiftly grabbed the girl by the arm, gave her good talkin’ to, and sent the daughter right over to pick up the bottle. Ahhhh, my faith in humanity was restored!
Happy Earth Day everyone! If you get a chance, check out the environmental kids website Super Natural Adventures (www.supernaturaladventures.com) It features nature videos made by kids for kids. These kids have a great appreciation for the planet that will inspire viewers with an “Earth Day is every day” attitude!
Gabriel-
Those are some great stories! Thanks for sharing! It is really sad how some parents don't take the time to teach children the right thing to do, even with simple things as throwing out garbage properly. That little girl will have no respect for the Earth or where she lives because she was taught it was okay to litter. But, to counteract that feeling, your second story does bring hope. All you have to do is pass down to your children the right thing, and the knowledge will continue to spread!