On the various ways to teach kids to be environmental friendly...

I like some of the points noted in the article, on 10 ways to get kids environmentally involved, including:

- spin an eco tune, to get them sing-along
- swap kids clothing
- encourage them to "power down"
- build toys with recyclables
- scavenger hunt when dumpster diving
- go out and pick produce in farms
- save papers by using the back side of scrap papers for drawing

I like it too, that it mentions about encouraging kids to wash hands together in order to save water. I, too, have practiced all these with my kids. I even encourage them to save a flush - if it's just wee wee, we'll do it in order, and the last one will flush. And I've always saved some of the junk mail in a pile, so that the kids can use the back side of the papers as scrap papers for homework or for drawings etc.

You know what, kids learn by example. If they see parents truly believe and practice ways that are environmental friendly, they will do it.

Looking at reports after reports about the reduced fresh water reserve in lakes, reservoir, underground water table, and accelerated melting of snow cap due to global warming, it's most worrisome that the next big conflict on a global scale is on natural resources like water. I was flabbergasted to read in one New York Times report on the water shortage issue in the West, and the estimate on water usage is 122-135 gallons per person per day (depending on warm/cold season). Although that includes usage like shrinking for lawn and gardens, I just cannot fathom how a reasonable man can use 122 gallons a day (even on the low side)??!!?? If that would mean that we should cut down or even get rid of those man-made perfectly manicured lawns, we should definitely do that. It's simply irresponsible to the environment and even to our future generations, that we are so wasteful and reckless in natural resources.