Educating Children on "Green" Ways Alaska

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(NC)-Parents looking to teach a skill or instill a mindset with their children are best to start when kids are young. Getting your child to think and act with the environment in mind is no exception and is made even easier with a positive parental role model who they can emulate and share ways to think and act 'greener'. Here are some easy tips for parents to help children establish their role in reducing their family's carbon footprint.

Quit idling - Get children in the habit of turning off lights, TVs and other devices when not in use. A significant yet almost effortless energy saving tip is manually turning off computer monitors or enabling computer power-management settings to do it automatically. Given printers or scanners consume a considerable amount of energy even when idle, keep them in off-mode, only booting up when required.

Green clean - Many household cleaning agents contain ingredients that pose risks to your family's health and the environment. Mixing one part lemon juice or white vinegar with one part water is a great natural alternative to bleach-based cleaners that works effectively as disinfectants but is safe for children to use.

Enviro jobs - Designating 'enviro' responsibilities ensures everyone is included in contributing to the family's green shift. Enlist one person to be in charge of overseeing that table scraps are thrown into the organic bin while someone else is tasked to collect the contents for the blue box. Designate one person to ensure everyone uses durable cloth bags or at the very least, reuse plastic bags for carrying items like books or groceries.

Friendlier power - Look for a selection of Energy Star rated rechargeable battery systems by Energizer, which may be the solution you are looking for in high-drain or frequently used gadgets like digital cameras, MP3 players, handheld games, and GPS equipment. Depending on the device, rechargeables can last up to four times longer than traditional batteries. A power-station like the Family Charger by Energizer, designed to recharge multiple batteries with a built-in start mechanism, also makes recharging safe enough for kids to do on their own.

- News Canada