Fearing For Their Future, Kids Fight Climate Change

Fighting Climate Change Through Innovative Initiatives

05/19/11 - Floods and droughts may be the "new normal" and sea levels may be rising faster than previously thought, but the younger generation isn’t willing to accept these climate change consequences for their future. As the grownups duke it out in Washington, kids take action with visible results, proving they may be more capable than adults in fighting man-made climate change.

Over 200,000 young people nationwide from over 2,500 schools participated in the Green Your School Challenge, a program that encouraged students to create initiatives focused on recycling, energy, climate change and food issues in their schools. Last week, the "Top 10 Green Schools" were revealed: Millburn Senior High School, Chapel Hill High School, Durand Middle School, University of Central Florida, City Academy, Canyon Crest Academy, Boston Latin, Indian Springs School, Santa Barbara High School and Garden Grove High School.

Perhaps Congress would be more invested in climate change action if they celebrated “Recycling Spies Day,” a Chapel Hill High School initiative where "spies" offered rewards to random people they spotted recycling. The school also installed motion-sensitive light switches in teachers' lounges and hosted an eco-carnival. {continued}