There are some frightening things in the real world. Global warming, the loss of natural
ecosystems, the extinction of species, the accumulation of plastic in the ocean, and the
demands of over 8 billion people for adequate supplies of food, shelter, and material goods
all contribute to an already vulnerable situation. You can be a student asking yourself, "What
do you want me to do?" Fix it? Not my fault that things got so out of hand! I don't see the
point. Everything's deteriorating anyhow, so why bother?"
Most parents want their children to grow up responsible citizens who care about the world
around them and who will protect it, not fear it. Children of all ages and stages of
development have the potential to become active stewards.
Not by magic will our children grow up to be environmentally conscious adults. Many of us
frequently wonder what type of earth we're leaving behind for our children," said Simeon
Ogonda, a youth development leader from Kenya. But not many people wonder, "What kind
of offspring are we leaving Earth to?" Engaging the next generation is more crucial than
ever, and parents share the responsibility of raising the future's guardians.
