Incorporate sustainability into your next holiday. Buy a gift made from recycled materials, cook a meal with vegetables from the garden, make your own greeting card, or reuse holiday decorations.
Walking or riding your bike to school is not only fun, it reduces the amount of carbon emitted if you had taken your car or the bus. Take the bus or carpool with a group instead of getting a ride from your parents or driving yourself. You will reduce the number of cars on the road, which reduces pollution.
Challenge your neighbors to a sustainability competition. See who can achieve the greatest energy reduction, produce the least trash, or drive the fewest miles by car. Compare results at the end of the month and celebrate with a fun activity.
Create a special sustainability outing with your family or friends. Ride your bikes to the park for a picnic or volunteer at a community garden. Ask everyone to wear green and tell the people you meet along the way about how they can impact the earth, too.
Explore college and career paths that help conserve energy and protect the environment. Ever considered majoring in environmental studies? Or becoming a wind turbine engineer? What about studying environmental law? There are many rewarding careers that will help you care for the planet for years to come.
Know where your dinner comes from. Ask your parents about fresh foods and if available in your area, think about buying free-range eggs, ocean-friendly seafood, local produce, or organic farm-raised meats. Look to find new or gently used secondhand products. Check out garage sales, thrift stores, and consignment shops for clothing and other everyday items.
Do you have an idea for a fun way to bring sustainability into your classroom? Talk to your teacher about doing a special eco-activity or check out the Resources tab for ideas.
Drink filtered water out of a reusable water bottle whenever possible. This is better for your body and the environment than sodas or other sugary drinks.
Go outside whenever possible to experience plants and animal life and nuture your love for nature. Grow plants at school or at home to keep the air clean of carbon dioxide (CO2).