Do you know anybody who lived during World War II? Maybe a grandparent or great grandparent? This generation is often called the "Greatest Generation" because they had to give up so many things to help our country remain free for the generations that followed, like your parents and you! Many of the things we take for granted –like shoes or meat–the people in this generation could not buy very often because supplies were limited.

Today, it seems like we have plenty of everything! Store shelves are filled with food, toys and clothing. It seems like we have a limitless supply of everything…but that's not true. We still need a clean environment to live, and our natural resources, like clean air and water, are becoming limited as people pollute and overuse.

You and your friends could be the next "great generation" by helping the environment stay clean and the Earth healthy for people in the future. Here are some actions you can do right away:


1) Buy less. Throw away less. Companies spend a lot of money on commercials to try to get you to buy things…mostly things you don't really need. If we buy less, we throw away less. One trick to buying less is to trade toys, books, videos, DVDs and games with your friends, or rent them from libraries. Another idea is to visit stores that offer used items at low prices.

2) Use stuff over and over. Recycle. Recycling doesn't always have to mean collecting newspapers or aluminum cans. You could recycle just by refilling a water container for your sports games, bringing a reusable lunch box to school or asking someone to help you mend your favorite shirt instead of throwing it away and buying a new one.

3) Walk or ride your bike when you can. Do you ask your parents to drive you to school or to your friend's house to play? Next time, ask them if they'll walk with you or ride their bike with you. It's great exercise and it helps reduce pollution.

4) Take care of your things. If you take good care of the things you own, like toys or books, they will last longer and when you outgrow them, someone else can use them. Then they won't end up in the landfill.

5) Give away your used items to family, friends or charity. Do you have a neighbor who is younger then you? Offer her your old bike instead of throwing it away. If you don't have anyone to pass along items to, donate them to charities.

6) Give gifts that get used. When it's someone's birthday, do you rush out to the store to buy a present? What if you bought things that could be used so they won't end up in a landfill, like movie tickets, an afternoon at a swim center or a certificate for pizza?


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