Only recently a photo of the Arabian Sea leaving behind tonnes of garbage at the Juhu beach in Mumbai had gone viral on all social media platforms. People were strongly voicing their opinions on how we, as the civilized human race, were responsible for the damage done to the environment and how it was all coming back to us, as part of Karma. But are social media posts and tweets enough to save our environment form the damage we have already caused?
The answer is simple. How are we the intelligent sapiens guarding our precious future? Are we educating our children about the consequences of using plastic or the harmful effects of air pollution? No, we aren’t doing enough. Our education system has included subjects like Environmental Studies but we do not have enough practical work to foster the same. Are parents helping their children become environmentally conscious at home? Well, it’s not too late to repair the damage.
Here are a few ways we can inculcate eco-friendly values among our children
1) Stop Using Plastic
Right from tiffin boxes to water bottles and school bags, every item contains plastic. Parents can opt for alternatives such as steel lunch boxes and copper water bottles which are healthy and eco-friendly at the same time. Make sure your children know why and for what purpose the changes have been made so they can pass the message on to their classmates and bring about a positive change.
2) Dumping Waste Mindfully
Teach kids the importance of segregating wet waste from dry waste. And if the family is on an outing or a holiday, make sure you tell them to dump waste in the garbage bins provided in the locality and not in the bushes or the streets. This will help them become responsible citizens.
3) Teach Them The Value Of Water
Water shortage is a common scenario across most cities of India. But those who are blessed with abundant supply of water are the ones who waste it the most. It is here that we need to teach children the value of water. Children always follow by example. Simple acts by parents such as using little water while brushing or just enough water while taking a shower does go a long way in inculcating good values among children.
4) Make Them Gardeners
The trend of indoor gardening and growing your own veggies has hit the market recently. It’s not just fun for adults but for kids too, and not to mention, it’s super easy. Just buy some quirky pots, fill it up with potting soil and sow the seeds. This process of watching the plant grow and reach fruition will get your child to pot more plants in the years to come. The more plants we have, the better the chances of saving our environment.
5) Switching Off The Lights
I guess this is one of the oldest lines in the textbook. Reminding kids to switch off the lights or any other appliance every time they leave the room, not only at home but also in their classroom which can help them learn to save electricity from a tender age.
Well, these are just some ways we can help build a more responsible generation and pass on a healthy environment to live in.