ECO-PROS Community Support

Supporting your community is good for all

COMMUNITY

Kids Can Make a Difference!
There are many areas where young people can make a significant improvement in environmental conditions, and also in community awareness. Young people can motivate adults through their caring and their questioning, and bring an energetic force to promoting healthy and just decision making.

Environmental conditions differ in various locations throughout the world. Young people can become more observant in looking around them and within their community to see where hazards exist or environmental damage is being done.

	*Problems* *needing solutions*
	Toxic smoke from factories
	Trash in our rivers, lakes and ocean
	Animals not being cared for properly
	Dumping trash by roadsides
	Destroying habit and wilderness areas
	Lack of bike paths and safe bike lanes
	Wasting water
	Disregard of environmental laws
	"Over-packaging" of products
	Toxic materials in toys or dangerous toys
	Lack of adequate bus transportation
	Not enough recycling services

In all of our efforts to promote change, it is important for all of us to remember to
work with respect and sincerity towards pursuing positive partnerships,
rather than trying to change things from a confrontational or antagonistic approach.


Who do you think is most likely to accomplish positive change?

Look for where improvements could be put in place to help us to help the environment. With adult supervision, students could choose local issues to investigate as a group and propose possible solutions in a report for class discussion. Seek appropriate advice.

DISCUSS THE PROBLEMS

Talk about these issues with family, friends, and at school. See if you can come up with some solutions to help alleviate these problems.

FIND SOLUTIONS

Your city might need more laws to help protect the environment, or they might need to put up some signs to remind people to keep our environment clean and safe.

If more bus and shuttle services are needed for people who don't drive, or can't drive (elderly and disabled people), you could bring this to the attention of the community and local transportation services and see what might be done.

Clean air is vital for our health; and children are most susceptible to asthma and illness where the air is unhealthy. Ask your local officials, air quality organizations, and medical professionals to help make sure everything possible is being done to clean up your air and keep it clean.

Partner-up with some local businesses to work together in finding solutions to problems and improving the quality of life in your community.

HELP RAISE MONEY FOR PROJECTS

Help raise money for community projects. One way could be to develop a Solar-Cooking Recipe Book and sell it to raise funds. Ask people to offer recipes and solar-cooking tips to include in the book. Enlist support for paper and printing services from local businesses. A few ads placed in the books could help pay for some costs or help raise funds. Possibilities for advertisers might be local small farms, organic food stores, solar cooker companies, and health organizations.

Community awareness is a major area where young people can assist. Information can be compiled, and flyers distributed with information on actions we can all take as individuals. (Try to include guidelines and other local helpful information as appropriate.)

Be an advocate for environmental health in your community
If you know of environmental issues that need attention, you can learn how to be a conservation advocate and take steps to bring about change and solutions. (Conservation International)

Politicians and City Planners
Ideas for elected officials and city planners to consider as they make decisions.

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