green is universal

Green Tween Projects

Dear Mr. Green,

I am ten years old and would really love to help save the environment. But I need some ideas how. I always turn the water off when brushing my teeth, and I recycle cans and bottles, even ones I find on the street. I am energy efficient. I turn off the lights when I leave a room. Sometimes I even do stuff in my room with the light off, the only thing lighting my room is the bright sun streaming from the windows. But I still don't feel like I am doing enough. I feel like I should be doing more than I am. I feel like I am being just plain lazy. I really want to help save the environment, and I'm doing whatever I can think of, but it's not enough. I need to do something different. Something that really makes me feel like I just saved some green. I need some ideas, please.

Sincerely,
Granola Girl

Dear Pre-Teen Eco-Queen,

It's tough growing up on a planet that's in so much need of tender loving care, and accepting the things that each of us can do to tread lightly doesn't always come easily.

The fact that you're mindful of your use of water, that you recycle cans and bottles, that you turn off lights when you leave a room are all amazing steps. Imagine if everyone followed your great example--collectively we could make a tremendous impact. And although you're still a young lady, you are wise beyond your years, and your personal day-to-day commitments humble us all. What you're already doing is amazing and you should be congratulated for your thoughtfulness and mindful consideration.

Being a pre-teen is a wonderful time in life when we most freely tap into the creative and playful aspects of our beings. It's also when we discover our passions and begin developing into the individuals we eventually end up becoming.

Because you're a "Tweenie" and looking to do more, please know that I truly believe that young people make some of the best eco-activists. Take for instance my friend, Danny Seo. On his 12th birthday he founded the organization Earth 2000 with a few friends and just $23.00. By his 18th birthday, he had transformed that grassroots organization into the country's largest environmental activist charity. (He's got more energy than anyone I know!)

There are also many conservation organizations that have wonderful hands-on programs for young people willing and eager to create and contribute. By offering your skills and interests (with the approval of your parents or guardian) you'll certainly find unique ways that you, too, can make a difference.

It sounds like you're serious about recycling; you're sincerely eco-conscious and honestly thoughtful about how you use natural resources - but hey - you're still a kid, too...remember?!?! So how about some environmentally-friendly stuff that you can do just to have fun?

First, how about making a bird feeder? It's really easy to do by cutting a bird-sized hole into one side of a cardboard milk carton (which, btw, isn't recyclable), gluing the carton closed again with a safe glue (like Elmer's), punching 2 holes in the newly-sealed top of the carton and running a cotton string through the holes and tying a strong knot to make a hanger. If you don't like how the plain milk carton looks, you can lightly sand it and either paint it with environmentally safe paints, or collage it with pictures from your favorite magazines (yet another way to recycle--making trash into art!). Then just fill your new feeder with birdseed, hang it from a nearby tree, and watch how the native birds in your area flock to it. (So might the squirrels, but hey, they need to eat, too!)

You can also take the largest "cup"-end of broken eggshells, put them open-side up back into the egg carton and fill them with soil and different herb seeds. Water each "cup" and place the open carton in a sunny window for a quick in-door herb garden. The nutrients from the egg shells will serve as a great natural fertilizer for your plants, and you can use what you've grown to spice up your meals--earth-friendly and yummy!

Better yet, how about a great project our niece, Hayley, used to do: sew and glue a "swellegant" shoulder bag or tote for yourself out of old, discarded denim jeans, corduroy, cotton, silk, or linen and complete it with creatively placed lace castoffs, buttons, costume jewelry, safety pins, and hand embroidery for a one-of-a-kind and 100% recycled fashion statement your gal-pals are certain to envy (and copy!). Maybe that's how Donna Karan got her start.

Granola Girl--Although you're only ten years old, the maturity and sensitivity you privately display make you a role model for your peers and for all of us adults! And because of that, when you're a grown-up with kids of your own, you'll know that adults don't inherit the earth from the past--you'll be able to teach them that if we are wise like you, we treat our precious planet as something that we only borrow from our children. Keep up the great work you're doing for us all!

about mr. green

From re-gifting, re-cycling, to natural cleaning products for your home, Mr. Green has all of your ecotiquette answers. Our Mr. Green (aka. Michael De Jong), is the author of "CLEAN: The Humble Art of Zen-Cleansing." He lives in Jersey City with his partner (Richard,) dog (Jack,) and three goldfish (Phil, Jill and Gill) all of which benefit from his natural cleaning techniques. De Jong, who cleaned apartments in New York City while working as a fine artist, began researching and inventing many of the recipes in "CLEAN" and is continually experimenting with safe, effective and eco-friendly alternatives. Raised in the mid-West by an immigrant family that valued the environment and re-cycled before it was fashionable, his quest for non-toxic solutions comes naturally to him. He is currently writing a companion series of "CLEAN" books dealing with such topics as the body, first aid, organization, and food, as well as posting a weekly Blog on www.thedailygreen.com. "CLEAN: The Humble Art of Zen-Cleansing" can be purchased at Barnes & Noble stores across the country or on-line at www.barnesandnoble.com or www.amazon.com.

Click here to send him a question and he'll put in the elbow grease to scrub out the answers!