Dear Emily,
I’m thrilled to get a letter from a fellow eco-activist, especially of the ten-year-old variety. It may seem that you are chronologically-challenged, Emily, (you can ask your mom what that means) but at age ten there are some ways in which you have more power than most adults (some presidents and business tycoons notwithstanding). Here are some tips and resources to help you use that power for good that might be helpful to pass along to your mom and other adults, too:
Write away. A letter to a decision maker from a “youth,” meaning anyone under the age of 21, generally receives more attention than a letter from any boring old adult because it’s more unique to hear from a kid. Let a company know when you think it is doing the wrong thing, or tell a legislator how you feel about a particular issue. Addresses for individual companies are easily found on the Internet (your mom can help you there), or you can get the names and contact info of your elected officials at www.vote-smart.org. Don’t worry about perfect writing, just say what you think and feel and make sure you include your age and your address.
Teach your parents well. Adults like to pretend we know everything, but here’s a shocker: we don’t. We need you to teach us when you learn something new. For example, at Eco-Cycle we depend on kids to learn about recycling and then teach their families how to do it right. We encourage you to be the recycle police in your home. (I’m going to get some letters from parents on that one, I can just see it.) Make a poster to use in your home to help everyone know and follow the rules. Get the guidelines here. While you’re there you can learn of other ways to protect the environment that you can teach to the rest of the family.
Think globally, act locally. The best way to learn more about your environment and how to help is to do what I did to get started—volunteer for an organization right here in our community. There are many opportunities, but just to name a few, try: Wildlands Restoration Volunteers to help restore local areas, the Cultiva Youth Project to be part of a youth operated organic market garden, or Colorado Youth Program to study wildlife, forests and weather. Volunteer for Eco-Cycle and we’ll train you how to be that recycling cop!
Or act globally by working with some of the international groups. Sign up with Global Response for Kids Youth Environmental Actions to learn how you can help with different environmental threats around the world. You’ll also learn how to write letters to important decision-makers. Other national organizations like Greenpeace, World Wildlife Fund, and the Nature Conservancy also have youth activist programs on their websites.
So don’t be worried, Emily, be empowered and know you’re in good company. There are lots of folks from your generation who aren’t waiting to age before they make an impact. Visit Earth Island Institute and you can read about the 2005 Brower Youth Award Winners. The award honors kids who are tomorrow’s environmental and social justice leaders. They’ve done everything from founding an organization that opposes a nuclear waste facility to starting a neighborhood wetlands rehabilitation project.
Thanks for writing this letter, Emily. You’re already making an impact on me, so I’ll be keeping an eye on you, girl.
