This week’s episode (Sundance Channel, 9pm Tuesday) shows that you do not have to be grown up, nor have a PhD to care about the environment. Even kids can help. In fact it likely is the kids that will drive the Eco-scene forward. The average parent is going to get pretty upset, and worn down by the ‘But why are there no (insert animal or plant name) left?’ questions from the little ones.
When you come up against eleven year old Evan Green, you know you are in trouble! This head of frizzy hair, and ‘Tasmanian Devil; go get em attitude’ should scare most people. He is happy to be behind the microphone and explain “You want to get money out of adults? Well you have to talk serious to them”. He goes on to explain that if your message is clear, they will cave in. This is a kid that cares about the rain forest, and his ‘Red Dragon’ organization is going to be a force to be reasoned with. It is great to see young people caring about the environment. Oh, and if Evan knocks on your door, I recommend that you just hand over everything in your wallet, because he is not going to leave until you do!
Toy-maker Barbera Aimes, founder of ImagiPLAY, has a more ‘low key’ approach, she creates non-toxic toys made from renewable rubberwood and recycled cardboard. This may not sound earth breaking, but it is. Regular plastics contain a veritable ingredient list of bad things. The toxin list alone would make your head spin. When you apply this ingredient list to small children, you have a problem. The favorite activity is to put stuff in their mouths, the tactile experience is part of the growing up process. Barbera has created a whole line of toys for young learners that are free from these toxins, yet still have the fun tactile aspects that toddlers like.
Los Angeles based ‘Plastics are Forever’ are concerned about plastics, and the effect that they have on the ecosystem. That Styrofoam cup that get tossed when the coffee is all gone is a bio-disaster. Come back 100 years in the future and it is ready for more coffee, in fact come back in 500 years, and it will still be ready and willing. Durability is good, but when it is used as a ‘one shot’ item it obviously does not work well. The ‘Plastics are Forever’ group may have fun in their quest, but their message is very clear, they care!
If you cannot pick up The Sundance Channel on your local cable system, all is not lost, check out their web page.
