Think Globally, Act Locally*

It’s hard for kids to tell the government to support renewable energy. It’s hard for kids to tell all the people of the earth that the environment around them is what sustains their very lives.

What can you do?

It can be frustrating at times… you have an idea that will help the people around you, but the people around you keep you from making your idea a reality, speaking in terms of politics. You can’t be elected as a world leader yet, you can’t vote yet…

So what can you do?

You’re still a person. You can still make a difference. You can make a difference even in the little things you do in life. You might be surprised how many of these things there are, and more:

Here are some of them:

• Make sure when you buy wood or wood products that they aren’t coming from native forests.  Some of the endangered woods are California redwood, mahogany, or teak.




• Try to buy salvaged or recycled wood when working on home projects.  Always head for the “odd pieces” bin.  (Home depot has one) and stuff is cheaper from there, too.


• Use fluorescent light bulbs where possible.  They use ¼  the electricity of a standard light bulb.


• Create your own organic garden, and grow tomatoes for your mom.


• Buy recycled paper products, and when using paper write or print on both sides.




• Only buy things in plastic containers that can be recycled.  And of course, make sure that you recycle them. 


• If a friend lives nearby, ride your bike or walk to visit them, instead of having your mom drive you.  P.S., it’s good exercise too.


• Turn off lights when you are not using them, and when you leave a room.  Your parents will be happy, because it will reduce their electric bills.


• Don’t buy a new cell phone every year if your old one meets your needs.




• Recycle old electronics through the approved Computer Takeback Campaign. Find it at www.computertakeback.com/thesolutions/recyclersmap.cfm or at the Basal Action Network at http://www.ban.org/pledge/Locations.html


• Recycle old cell phones to charities or at www.collectivegood.com

What else can you do?

Have a vision. Work towards it. It could change the rest of your life, but you can enrich the lives of others. You’re growing. With every passing moment you near adulthood, with every passing moment you can do greater things. Maybe you can’t do everything now, but you can do some things now.

And when you and your ideals are fully grown, then you can do a mighty thing indeed.