We all want the best for our kids, from the food they eat, to the skills they acquire, to their health and the health of the place they live in. But how do you teach your kids, big or small, to be as green as you would like to be? As Jenn Savedge, author of “The Green Parent”, points out, the decisions you make each day affect the environment, and even small changes can make a big difference. Her new book, which is subtitled a Kid-Friendly Guide to Earth-Friendly Living, is concise, yet full of practical information and resources, and easy to follow. If you are looking for ways to be more environmentally conscious for and with your kids, this is a must-read. In this interview, we asked Jenn the questions that are on our parenting minds.
What was the inspiration for The Green Parent book?
My kids… but not in the sense that you might think. Before I had children, I was actually doing a pretty good job at being an environmentalist. I was a National Park Ranger, a vegetarian, an organic gardener, etc. Protecting the environment has always been a priority for me and before I had kids I dedicated my time, money, and energy to doing just that.
So I was completely thrown for a loop when I had children and I suddenly had no time, no energy and a whole lot less money than I had before. I was trying to juggle a lot of stuff at once and I found it hard to do even basic eco-friendly things like recycle or conserve energy. I needed information about going green from a parent’s perspective… covering everything from diapers to school fundraisers… and I wanted to know how to teach my kids to go green without nagging. When I couldn’t find that information, I decided to research it and hence, The Green Parent was born.
What are the 3 most important things we can do to start on the green road?
Drive a little less, buy a little less, and recycle a little more.
At what age do you think kids can follow parent’s example on being more environmentally friendly? How do you get kids involved?
Even the littlest babies can learn to appreciate nature and begin to understand their connection to the environment. And if toddlers see you make an effort to be eco-friendly… say by turning off the lights when you leave a room… they will be much more likely to follow that example when they are old enough to turn out the lights.
Whether you have an infant or a teenager, it’s important to remember that your kids are always watching what you do. So the best way to get the kids involved in going green is to walk the walk.
Can parents help their kids be greener at school?
Yes! Parents can help kids make eco-friendly choices such as minimizing the amount of paper they use in the classroom and reducing waste in the cafeteria. Parents can also help kids spread the word throughout their school by starting an environmental club, giving their school an energy report card, or initiating a school-wide recycling program.
Do you know of any states that are already doing it well?
It varies not only from state to state but also from city to city. I find it heartening that in absolutely every state there is at least one town that is making green a priority in their schools, in their policies, and in their community.
We’ve heard about dimmers, energy efficient appliances and recycling. What other changes can we implement at home?
The essence of going green is simply to use a little less… less energy, less water, and less stuff in general. Around the house, this can be achieved with small, low-tech changes such as turning off lights, taking shorter showers, and washing clothes in cold water instead of hot. Eco-savvy gadgets such as CFL light bulbs, low-flow shower nozzles, and tankless water heaters, can also help to maximize the benefits.
Speaking about recycling, what can you recycle? How do you know if something is recyclable or not?
Recycling availability differs from town to town and state to state, so you’ll have to call your local recycling center (or check out Earth 911’s website) to find out what and where to recycle in your area. Most recycling centers have facilities to collect glass (clear and colored), plastics #1 and #2, paper, and aluminum. You may also be able to recycle materials such as tires, batteries, electronics, latex paint, and plastics #3-#7. It’s important to remember that just because an item is labeled recyclable does not mean that it can be recycled in your community.
Is having an environmentally friendly car the best option for the road?
If you have to drive, the best thing you can do for the planet (and for your wallet!) is to maximize your fuel efficiency. If your car doesn’t get good gas mileage, it may make sense to upgrade to an eco-friendly model. It doesn’t have to be new and it certainly doesn’t have to be a hybrid. In fact, cars that are slightly used are a better buy for the environment because they reduce the need to use new materials in manufacturing.
Are there other changes you would recommend for drivers?
The price of gas is at an all time high in the U.S., and it’s only going to get higher. So anything you can do to improve your car’s gas mileage… like inflating tires, cleaning out car clutter, and avoiding aggressive driving… will benefit both the environment and your pocketbook.
It seems that organic and local foods are getting very popular. What are some of the best organic foods to buy? How do you do it without spending a fortune?
Organic foods are produced without the use of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers and genetically modified ingredients that are common in conventionally produced foods, so they are better for your health and that of the environment. But they often cost a bit more than non-organic varieties, so if you can’t afford to buy everything organic it’s a good idea to maximize the benefits by focusing on purchasing organic selections of the foods that use the most chemicals to produce. These include apples, bell peppers, cherries, nectarines, peaches, spinach, potatoes, strawberries, celery, and imported grapes. Meat and dairy products are also a good organic buy. But don’t worry about the organic label when it comes to onions, avocado, pineapples, mango, asparagus, kiwi, bananas, cabbage, broccoli, and eggplant as these fruits and veggies contain the least amount of pesticides. Skip it too for seafood as there are no standards in place to verify seafood as organic. Save money on organic foods by buying generic organic brands, buying directly from farmers at local markets, and buying in bulk (even if you split it with a friend) whenever possible.
How would being more eco-savvy affect consumer spending habits over the holidays?
For most folks, going green for the holidays would save them a fortune because they would be much more careful and discriminating in the quantity and quality of gifts that they give. It would mean passing on all of those cheap products that are made from poor quality materials (like all of that cheap lead paint that keeps popping up in all of those cheap toys). Instead, folks would purchase smaller, more meaningful gifts that require less resources to produce and are more likely to be cherished and retained by their recipients. Or better yet, it may mean not buying a gift at all, but making a gift or sharing an activity with the recipient instead!
You’ve done a lot of research for your book it’s full of great tips, interviews and useful resources. Were there any big surprises during this process?
I was surprised almost every day when I was researching this book. I was surprised to find out that many product labels that I thought indicated a product was eco-friendly were actually quite meaningless (there are some that are legally defined and enforced – you just have to know what to look for). I was shocked to learn about the ridiculous amount of synthetic chemicals that are used to grow food conventionally. I was downright horrified to read about the existence of sweatshops both in foreign countries and in U.S. territories that technically are allowed to use the Made in the U.S.A. label. But what I found most surprising was how easy it is, once you understand the basics, to live a greener life that is easier on your wallet and healthier for both the planet and your family.
What green tip do you want to leave CafeYak parents with?
Find the shade of green that works best for you. If you want to be a vegetarian, live off-the-grid, and walk to work everyday, great! If not, you can still go green by finding the eco-savvy ideas that fit in to your lifestyle. Start slowly, get your kids involved, and enjoy a greener life!
