Learn. Get Involved. Lead the Way.
If you’re a young person and wonder if there is anything you can do to add your voice and your energy to help solve the two most important environmental issues of our time – climate change and biodiversity loss – wonder no more!
LEARN – A great place to start is your own backyard. Become an expert on the wild animals and plants of your state – then share your knowledge with your family, friends, classmates and teachers. Register for camp at the Ohio Wildlife Center, and join us every month at our Second Sunday event for close-up encounters with hawks, owls, turtles, opossums and other fascinating Ohio species. Get started here.
Check out NASA Climate Kids at climatekids.nasa.gov to learn how climate change affects the wildlife in your neighborhood and what you and your friends can do to help.
GET INVOLVED – As you move around your neighborhood and your city, you can’t help but notice all of the litter on our roadsides and in our wooded areas. It’s a huge problem for people and wildlife. Did you know the city of Columbus is launching a Litter League? The theme is “Three Words About Litter…PICK IT UP!” Follow the progress here.
LEAD THE WAY – Are you passionate about saving our planet? You can start your own litter clean-up, recycling program, butterfly garden, or other project in your school, neighborhood or community. Draw inspiration from young people around the world like 16 year-old Greta Thunberg, follow her on twitter, and 13-year-old Alexandria Villasenor, read more here, who are fighting for action on climate change.
The FIVE Rs for Saving the Planet
We’ve all been taught the 3 Rs – Reduce, Reuse, Recycle…but it’s time to add two more Rs to the list and make it FIVE!
- REFUSE: Our lives are full of stuff we don’t need, and each “thing” has an environmental cost (electricity, water and other resources).
- REDUCE: Begin a process of questioning all of your purchases and give yourself a “cooling off” period to think about whether you really need it.
- REUSE: Ditch disposable for reusable…Just say NO to plastic straws, plastic bags, paper towels, and plastic water bottles. Get motivated – watch this!
- REPURPOSE: Also called upcycling or DIY – think used jar as a vase or drinking glass, or learn how to turn an old t-shirt into a reusable shopping bag here.
- RECYCLE: Recycle everything possible. Check for electronics recycling events in your area and find out where you can recycle old clothes that are not suitable to donate. Breaking News…the production of food is the largest greenhouse gas emitter in the United States! Don’t waste food and start a home compost container to keep food out of the landfills.