Protect the Planet and Save Money

Source: Tween Parent Staff

(75 ratings)

Are your kids talking about global warming? Do you want to help your family lower their carbon footprint? Of course you do. Following are some easy things you and your family can do to help turn your home green and lower your energy costs.

Empowering Our Kids

Calculate your carbon footprint and encourage your kids to take the following steps. 

• Walk, bike or use public transportation whenever possible.
  
• Unplug all electronic devices when not in use.
  
• Open your refrigerator door as little as possible. (Keeping the door open for even a minute forces the refrigerator's motor to run for half an hour or more.)
  
• Plant a tree or add plants to your home or garden. (Plants absorb carbon dioxide.)
  
• Conserve water. (A lot of energy is needed to process clean water.)
  
• Open the window instead of turning on the air conditioner.
  
• Write a petition. Lobby your local politicians to stop using fossil fuel to generate electricity or ask them to add more bike paths.
  
• Raise money for your school by selling reusable bags with the school logo printed on the bags. (See links for reusable bags at the bottom of the page.)
  

Making Our Kids Proud

• Carry reusable bags in your purse and car. If you keep them handy, you'll use them. (To buy reusable bags see links at the bottom of the page.) 
  
• Use less soaps, detergents and cleaning products. 
  
• Recycle. (The production of recycled products uses 60 - 70% less energy than producing goods from raw materials.)
  
• Donate clothes, furniture and toys.
  
• Use fluorescent light bulbs. Incandescent light can use 75% more energy than fluorescent light.
  
• Hang clothes out to dry instead of using your dryer.
  
• Run a full dishwasher or washing machine.
  
• Use recycled paper.
  
• Shop at farmer's markets and buy locally grown produce. (The consumable products we purchase account for half of the average family's carbon footprint.)
  

Teach Your Kids More About Global Warming

For ideas about talking to your kids about global warming, visit the National Wildlife Federation's Climate Classroom.

Your kids may enjoy the EPA's Kids Site or the Department of Energy's Study Hall site.

Reusable Bags 

Bags on the Run 
Reuse This Bag 
Chico Bag 

Connect with other parents and share your thoughts about reducing your carbon footprint and saving money: 

Citizenship section of the TweenParent Community