What’s Your Ecological Footprint?
Happy Earth Day! Many Environmental Science classes have their students calculate their Ecological Footprint on our planet through the simulation at https://www.footprintcalculator.org/home/en.
While my science teacher side may see this website as a teaching opportunity, my mom side sees it as a Conversation Starter, an opportunity to engage with your tween or teen in a lively conversation.
For Americans, it’s startling to come face to face with how your lifestyle, even a modest one, takes such a chunk out of our planet and its populations.
A Billion Acts of Green
You know you don’t have to overhaul your life, right? Simply commit to making one SMALL change every year. Change your habits, and your life will change. For ideas and inspiration, check out https://DeborahAnnDavis.com/billion-acts-of-green/.
In past years…
- I decided to shorten my showers, but I ended up showering 3-4 times a week instead of daily. That’s a huge savings in water.
- I organized my home for convenient recycling.
- I committed to cooking at home instead of eating out.
- We added solar panels to our roof, and installed a geothermal heating system in our home. (Okay, admittedly, those are huge changes.)
This year I’m back to smaller changes, like exploring how to compost our table scraps.
If any part of this post inspires you to try your own Act of Green, I will have doubled my positive impact on the planet. But, check this out… If everyone who sees this post forwards it to someone else, and they all make their own small change, we can impact the world together.
You may not be able to notice the consequences of your commitment, but trust me… they will definitely be there. Many little acts from many individuals creates a large impact.
Now you understand my biggest potential impact on my planet. I share something with you, potentially motivating you to make your own small change… and then, you might inspire someone else (your child, perhaps) to make their own change… whether it supports the planet, or the mother-daughter bond.
What will be the next small thing you will change in your life?
The Conversation Starter
As promised, here’s a simple way to broach a subject.
- Arm yourself with a novelty… in this case, the Ecological Footprint Calculator.
- Approach your adorable adolescent, and say something like this…
“I found this interesting website, and I wanted to share it with you. Do you have 10 minutes right now, or would [AFTER DINNER/AFTER HOMEWORK/ETC.] be better?”
- If the answer is…
- “Later,” grin and say something like, “Perfect! See-ya!” and sail out of the room.
- “Now,” plop down next to your charming cherub, and share your screen.
- Go through the simulation together, and let the conversation flow where it will.
Easy-peasy!
Enjoy these moments of introspection. It pays to occasionally examine your life.
Happy Earth Hour, Earth Day and Earth Week!
Deborah
About the Author
Are you overwhelmed or frustrated with your role as a parent? Deborah Ann Davis (B.S. in Science Education, M.Ed. in Supervision, and W.I.T.S Personal Trainer Certified) is a parenting coach and strategist who works with individuals and organizations. An animated speaker, Deborah inspires, enlightens, and energizes her audiences with actionable strategies which can be implemented immediately.
Schedule a conversation with Deborah today
Whether you’re looking to bring more positivity into your group, or you’re ready to up the strategies in your Parenting Toolkit, she’s eager to help you put happiness back into your parenting.
Deborah has decades of experience dealing with teenagers – as a mother, and as an educator. Over the years, she has helped hundreds of families, using her expertise.
Learn how to improve your mother-daughter relationship today. Every minute you delay prolongs the isolation your child feels while disconnected from you. She’s waiting for you to figure it out, so why not skip the “trial and error” parenting route?
Book your free chat with Deborah today, and sort things out together. You’ll be glad you did.
