Kids are Key: 11 Ways for Parents and Kids to Fight Climate Change

You may be thinking that you can’t do much as an individual to make a difference when it comes to protecting the environment and fighting climate change. Well, we invite you to think a little differently for a moment. What if the solution to the problem isn't actually to solve the problem? What if the solution actually lies in emboldening, motivating, and inspiring the future leaders, policy makers, and citizens of the planet to understand and care about the problem? That's not to say that we pass the dilemma off to our kids and say, 'good luck!' but if we aren't encouraging kids to be curious about, experience, and appreciate the natural world, the solutions to the problem will stop with adults. As a parent or an adult, you have the ability to create a ripple effect and it starts with your kids. It starts with leading by example through your own actions and priorities but also making sure your kids understand and care too.

At Avid4 Adventure, we're on a mission to empower kids to choose active, healthy lifestyles in the outdoors. Our vision is to inspire thousands of kids across the country through our outdoor adventure summer camps and programs. We help kids move beyond the four walls of their homes and classrooms to build confidence in real outdoor recreation areas. As a result, kids gain a deeper understanding of the world and themselves. They are often motivated to get back outside and teach other kids and family members what they learned at camp. This is just one of the many reasons we care so much about protecting public lands and natural areas we utilize (and natural areas in general) from exploitation, development, and climate change. We think it's vital for kids and adults to be able to learn and grow outside. We hope that you and your kids decide to help protect the environment and fight climate change by committing to a few small changes. 

ways For Kids & Parents to help Fight Climate Change & Protect the Environment

(Consider picking at least two items from this list to commit to):

1. Help your kids experience the outdoors.
   • If kids don't have an appreciation for the natural world, there will be no reason for them to want to protect it in the future.
2. Involve your kids when caring for the environment.
   • Ask them why they think it's important to care for the planet and what they want to do to help. Have them write or draw a plan.
3. Get involved at the local level.
   • Organize an event at your child’s school or in your community.
   • Contact your local representatives about taking action on climate change.
   • Have your kids write a letter to your local representatives about why they want a cleaner and healthier planet.
4. Follow the Leave No Trace principles and teach them to your kids.
5. Throw away less food.
   • Eat less red meat if possible (or better yet, go vegetarian).
   • Plant a garden to grow some of your own food.
   • Freeze fruits and vegetables before they start going bad.
   • Eat local by buying food at farmers markets and eating at locally-owned restaurants.
6. Recycle and compost as often as possible.
   • “Pre”cycle—buy products that come in packaging you know can be recycled later.
   • Bring your own bags, water bottles and cutlery to cut back on single-use plastics.
7. Cut back on water waste.
   • Start by tracking your current water usage—just being aware of how much water you use each day can help you also become more aware when cutting back.
   • Set a limit on shower times.
   • Take fewer showers.
8. Reduce electricity usage.
   • Turn out the lights.
   • Unplug electronics when they aren’t in use.
   • Use a smart or programmable thermostat.
   • Switch over to LED lightbulbs.
   • Turn the temperature down on your hot water heater.
9. Go paperless.
   • Unsubscribe from junk mail.
   • Opt for electronic delivery of bills.
   • Cut back on the use of paper products like napkins and paper towels.
   • Use recycled paper whenever possible.
10. Buy less of the unnecessary.
    • Shop at thrift or consignment stores or buy second-hand items.
    • Consider donating to a charity in someone else’s name or doing a creative activity instead of buying gifts.
    • Buy eco-friendly gifts.
    • Invest in clothing and items that will last instead of buying “fast fashion” and cheaply made items that ultimately end up in the trash can.
    • Make your own environmentally-friendly cleaning products with simple ingredients you have around the house.
11. Vote with your dollar.
    • We have the choice each day to influence the global economy. By consistently buying eco-friendly products and buying fromeco-friendly and B Corp certified companies, we can effect change.

It's up to us adults to inspire the kids and future leaders of tomorrow through our actions and priorities today. How will you respond?

Learn more about how we're educating kids to care for our planet and how we're committed to being a sustainable business at the link below.

“Our personal ripple effect is the power of one generating hope and change in others for a better world.”

—Laurie Buchanan, PhD

“Just as ripples spread out when a single pebble is dropped into water, the actions of individuals can have far-reaching effects.”

—Dalai Lama

“He that plants trees loves others besides himself.”

—Thomas Fuller

“You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around you. What you do makes a difference and you have to decide what kind of a difference you want to make.”

—Dr. Jane Goodall

For More Resources to Fight Climate Change Visit:

• NASA Climate Kids Website
• Climate Change Youth Action Ideas
• 35 Ways to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint
• Earth Guardians 50 Simple Things
• How You Can Stop Global Warming