I was talking with a friend, Allison, yesterday over coffee, about my concerns for the planet, and how I wasn't sure what to do with all of my thoughts and ideas. She suggested that I start a blog just to put things out there. Who knows, maybe someone else will read what I have to say and actually have some ideas for me. So... here I am!
My name is Emily and I am a mother of two. My son, Connor, is 11. My daughter, Cami, is nearly 9. I am also a wife and a 5th grade teacher. I am starting this blog without any prior blogging experience, so please excuse, in advance, my lack of knowledge on this whole thing. I am simply a concerned person who, after several recent events, wants to do her part in changing and helping the world.
Let me explain... a few weeks ago our family was on a vacation in Florida. We were enjoying the beach and having a wonderful time when my son noticed some trash rolling up on the beach with the waves. He was truly bewildered at how, exactly, someone's garbage ended up in "our" ocean. We then had a chat about how, exactly, that happens and how upsetting it is to us. He also talked about how awful it would be to be one of the many fish we had been watching while snorkeling, and have that trash floating around in our home. For some reason this conversation really stuck with me. I don't know if it was how Connor said things, or if it was the look on his face, but I couldn't let it go.
After we got home, I finally watched Al Gore's An Inconvenient Truth. Wow, what a film! First let me say, if you haven't seen this documentary yet, please see it right away. It is incredible. It truly changed my way of viewing the planet. It also made me realize that what my son realized on that beach in Florida, was that we are NOT taking care of our Earth.
Since then I have come up with an idea for a children's book about how they can be more active in being environmentally aware in the area where they live. How even the smallest of us, can be a big part in changing the world for the better.
I guess my concerns now lie in the fact that I have these ideas, and I don't really know where to begin or what to do with them. I think as a parent and a teacher, it is my responsibility to get out there and make a difference. How can I expect my kids to change, if I don't show them how its done? I am going to start here at home and try to implement some new ideas at my school. We don't even have a recycling program there yet!
So, if you are reading this, I hope you'll join me on my journey to learning more about how to be a better environmental mom and teacher. How will I do it?
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Where it all started
I am a mom and teacher looking for ways to help the environment. I was inspired by my children and our love of the ocean to try and do our part.
planet earth
For the Kids!
This is a challenge for all the kids out there who want to help save the Earth. Start a recycling program at your school this year. I hope many of you already have them in place, but if you don't, tell your teacher you need one this year. If you have one at your school, make sure your teacher and the school are using them correctly. Some schools say they are recycling, but often times it all just ends up in the trash.
Another way kids can help is to start an after school group that can help clean up an area of your neighborhood. Pick a spot, maybe even your own school playground, and agree to meet once a month to clean up all the trash. You'd be surprised at how much garbage is out there that you just don't notice anymore.
Lastly, why not start a garden at your school this fall. There are usually many places on a school campus that could use a little sprucing up. Find a good spot for some flowers to cheer up the school entrance, or maybe even a tree or two. You would not only be helping the planet, but also creating a memory of something special you did with your friends for the school one day. Why not give something back?
Another way kids can help is to start an after school group that can help clean up an area of your neighborhood. Pick a spot, maybe even your own school playground, and agree to meet once a month to clean up all the trash. You'd be surprised at how much garbage is out there that you just don't notice anymore.
Lastly, why not start a garden at your school this fall. There are usually many places on a school campus that could use a little sprucing up. Find a good spot for some flowers to cheer up the school entrance, or maybe even a tree or two. You would not only be helping the planet, but also creating a memory of something special you did with your friends for the school one day. Why not give something back?
What Can You Do?
Each of us is responsible for doing our share in saving the environment. Here is a small list of things that each of us can do at home and at work. If you have kids, include them in making smart environmental choices.
1. Always recycle! If you don't have a recycling program at work, then start one!
2. Turn up your thermostat just one or two degrees in the summer, and down just one or two degrees in the winter
3. Unplug your electrical appliances when they are not in use
4. Walk or ride a bike when you can
5. Pick up the trash you pass instead of just walking over it
6. Take reuseable bags to the grocery store. If you can't, remember to recycle those plastic bags or reuse them at home.
1. Always recycle! If you don't have a recycling program at work, then start one!
2. Turn up your thermostat just one or two degrees in the summer, and down just one or two degrees in the winter
3. Unplug your electrical appliances when they are not in use
4. Walk or ride a bike when you can
5. Pick up the trash you pass instead of just walking over it
6. Take reuseable bags to the grocery store. If you can't, remember to recycle those plastic bags or reuse them at home.
Live Earth
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http://environmentalmom.blogspot.com
About Me
- Emily
- Arizona, United States
- I LOVE BOOKS! I have been an avid reader since grade school and now that I teach middle school (6th-8th grades) language arts, I find I am trying to instill that passion for words and stories in my students. I read as much as I possibly can and still be a good mom, wife, and teacher. I love fiction, all genres (except science fiction). I also love writing and will blog on my writing experiences from time to time as well. I am working on writing my first YA novel and am having so much fun with it. Welcome to my blog!
Florida Beach
Where it all started
4 comments:
Em! I LOVE your blog. It brought a tear to my eye. I can sense your passion. Way to go on take some action. That is all it takes is one little turtle step in the direction you feel passionate about. Keep up the thoughts and see what develops from putting them out there! Let me know how I can be of help. I love the ocean and the environment too!
Hi Emily,
Allison is here now and introduced me to your blog. So, of course, I had to give her a hard time... I said, "Just one tear, Allison?" hee hee hee I am looking forwarded to reading more posts!
Hey Em,
This is a great blog. It is very important that we teach our kids the importance and the NEED to make changes in how we use energy, how we can do more to conserve and make the environment a priority. Our generation have been gluttons and I think that we are not starting to understand the impact this has had on our planet and for our kids. Unfortunately many people still think they can't do much or are unwilling to do anything because they are selfish. Inspiring kids to act responsibly is important and sites like this and what you teach are huge Em. Great Job! You know I support you 1000%.
Em, check out this ad from Germany: http://youtube.com/watch?v=2mTLO2F_ERY
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