Child behavior is shaped primarily by their exposure in school, and in the media, but especially with the behavior they see at home. Not ground breaking news, I know. But, I've noticed that although my ten-year-old doesn’t fully understand the concept of carbon emissions or of a global footprint, she's certainly formed her habits and attitude towards recycling and conservation of energy.
So it all got me thinking….children ought to be THE target to market crucial messages regarding energy conservation and greening our environment. The problem I see today with the abounding messages of earth friendly activities, is that although many recognize the problem, a significant portion of adults still respond only to what affects them today- particularly in their wallets. Sound a little selfish doesn't it?
Think about it...are commuters really switching to carpool and buying less gas because of their concern over the environment? Honestly, if gas prices were to revert to less than three dollars a gallon, we might see more individuals hopping back into their SUV’s and mini-tanks (solo) and filling up more often at the pumps.
Based on this assumption, I decided to run my own academic experiment. I formed my hypothesis: children with sympathy for animals might possess enough concern over the issue of global warming to motivate them into environmental action.
So it all got me thinking….children ought to be THE target to market crucial messages regarding energy conservation and greening our environment. The problem I see today with the abounding messages of earth friendly activities, is that although many recognize the problem, a significant portion of adults still respond only to what affects them today- particularly in their wallets. Sound a little selfish doesn't it?
Think about it...are commuters really switching to carpool and buying less gas because of their concern over the environment? Honestly, if gas prices were to revert to less than three dollars a gallon, we might see more individuals hopping back into their SUV’s and mini-tanks (solo) and filling up more often at the pumps.
Based on this assumption, I decided to run my own academic experiment. I formed my hypothesis: children with sympathy for animals might possess enough concern over the issue of global warming to motivate them into environmental action.
I fulfilled the protocols required that gain a researcher access to the invaluable minds of children and received permission from five of the six elementary schools in my city (the sixth school didn’t express interest in my research). I further asked parents to allow their child to attend an assembly while at school, in which their child would participate in a pre- and post-test survey, a colorful and age-appropriate presentation on the EPA's definition of global warming, and a "Cool Week Challenge" that encouraged children to follow earth friendly activities.
Only eighty percent of the fourth and fifth-graders’ (9-11 year olds) were allowed to attend my presentation. I say only because I don't see why any parent would oppose of their child attending an informative and entertaining presenation that would empower them to make a difference!
In any case, my hypothesis was partly correct. Kids expressed a genuine concern over the habitats of the animals that were discussed in their school. In some schools I discussed the migratory birds, fish, game and coral; in others, I spoke only about the potential extinction of polar bears by the year 2030. Students were full of brilliant questions, and comments regarding what they currently do regarding energy conservation and mostly all children expressed wanting to protect the habitats of the creatures shown to them.
I gave students a spreadsheet of "cool activities" and expected to get a significant portion of them back. The simple tasks included: turning off the water while brushing their teeth, or shutting the lights off when leaving a room, unplugging electrical cords from outlets when the appliances were not in use, trading books with friends instead of buying new ones, and substituting outdoor play for TV and video games. Less than half of the "Cool Week Challenge" activity sheets were returned to me.
What did that mean? Were the students not as interested as I had first thought? While many children seemed curious in my pre-test surveys and the assembly (that got them out of a potential math test), their enthusiasm for involvement lagged severly in the end. Perplexed by this, I wondered if the students were caught up only in the moment of sympathy for the poor animals, but ultimately responded like many of us adults who witness the late-night images of belly-bloated children starving in Africa, and feeling that their small contribution towards a monumental problem makes any difference at all. Of course, my opinion about marketing crucial messages to children hasn’t changed.
Cameron Diaz, Justin Timberlake, Will Ferrell and other celebrities reaching out to today’s youth speaking about the reduction of our global footprint are on the right track. Sooner or later our youth will be forced into making new habits whether it’s by their own emotional conviction, perhaps the decreasing population of polar bears, or simply by the high cost of gas and waste.
I still can't help thinking that its much better for children to learn from parents who are genuinely concerned about the earth and its future rather than waiting on the cost of waste and neglect. Healthy habits like walking more, public transportation, trading books or going to the library can be learned now. I say, better now, than later.
Only eighty percent of the fourth and fifth-graders’ (9-11 year olds) were allowed to attend my presentation. I say only because I don't see why any parent would oppose of their child attending an informative and entertaining presenation that would empower them to make a difference!
In any case, my hypothesis was partly correct. Kids expressed a genuine concern over the habitats of the animals that were discussed in their school. In some schools I discussed the migratory birds, fish, game and coral; in others, I spoke only about the potential extinction of polar bears by the year 2030. Students were full of brilliant questions, and comments regarding what they currently do regarding energy conservation and mostly all children expressed wanting to protect the habitats of the creatures shown to them.
I gave students a spreadsheet of "cool activities" and expected to get a significant portion of them back. The simple tasks included: turning off the water while brushing their teeth, or shutting the lights off when leaving a room, unplugging electrical cords from outlets when the appliances were not in use, trading books with friends instead of buying new ones, and substituting outdoor play for TV and video games. Less than half of the "Cool Week Challenge" activity sheets were returned to me.
What did that mean? Were the students not as interested as I had first thought? While many children seemed curious in my pre-test surveys and the assembly (that got them out of a potential math test), their enthusiasm for involvement lagged severly in the end. Perplexed by this, I wondered if the students were caught up only in the moment of sympathy for the poor animals, but ultimately responded like many of us adults who witness the late-night images of belly-bloated children starving in Africa, and feeling that their small contribution towards a monumental problem makes any difference at all. Of course, my opinion about marketing crucial messages to children hasn’t changed.
Cameron Diaz, Justin Timberlake, Will Ferrell and other celebrities reaching out to today’s youth speaking about the reduction of our global footprint are on the right track. Sooner or later our youth will be forced into making new habits whether it’s by their own emotional conviction, perhaps the decreasing population of polar bears, or simply by the high cost of gas and waste.
I still can't help thinking that its much better for children to learn from parents who are genuinely concerned about the earth and its future rather than waiting on the cost of waste and neglect. Healthy habits like walking more, public transportation, trading books or going to the library can be learned now. I say, better now, than later.
--Lucy
