Out of the Mouths of Babes…

April 22nd, 2009

Yesterday, my 7-year-old daughter and I were relaxing on the couch with my son who was recovering from surgery. Because he was still wallowing in the shock of what had occurred the day before (how do you prepare a 4-year-old for testicular surgery?), he got to choose what we watched. Of course he selected his favourite commercial-free preschool station and between shows, they mentioned that they had a fantastic Earth Day lineup of all of his favourite cartoons. My daughter turned to me with a dumbfounded expression…

“Why would television promote Earth Day? That’s kinda dumb. There isn’t anything Earth Day about TV!”

It is nice to see that even a 7-year-old would pick up on that concept! I realize that TV can be a great medium to spread the news of a cause as important as Earth Day. But promoting an all-day lineup of cartoons talking about nature?

Just send the kids outside.

I am now going offline for the rest of the day.

HAPPY EARTH DAY!

Filed under Life in General, Special Events | Comments (2)

The Jane Goodall Tribute Dinner

November 17th, 2008

Steve and I just returned from an inspiring event in Toronto celebrating Dr. Jane Goodall’s accomplishments as she received an honourary doctorate from the University of Haifa in Israel. Proceeds from the event went to the Jane Goodall Institute’s Roots and Shoots Program. David Suzuki was also there to lend his support.

So what did we personally think of the evening? Aside from the mouth-watering food provided by the Royal York Hotel and fantastic music from bands, children’s choirs, and Canadian Tenors, it was also tremendously exciting to help pay tribute to such an extraordinary woman. Dr. Goodall was riveting as she gave her speech upon accepting her honourary degree. She is someone who is both compelling and gentle, humorous and almost child-like in her aura, especially when seen holding her stuffed monkey that she was given as a child. In her speech, Dr. Goodall said that she is often asked why she, as one person, is able to do so much and inspire so many people in this world. Her answer:

“My mother.”

She explained that it was her mother’s absolute support that helped to send her to Tanzania as a teenager for what would be her ground-breaking research on chimpanzees. She spoke of the impact that any mother has on her children – especially when they are very young. It occurs with chimpanzees as well as humans that children are most influenced by the mannerisms and personality of their mother, more than anyone else. Mothers who are kind and compassionate towards both people and the Earth will most likely have children who are as well.

As she was speaking, I thought back guiltily to how impatient I was with my children earlier that day while trying to get ready for the event. Where exactly were my priorities? Was what I wore to the party more important than what they were currently doing? And I can’t even claim that it was just that one day. Both Steve and I have been guilty of being short-tempered and impatient with all three of our children over the past weeks (months) as we work hard to launch our new green website. We’re too busy thinking of loftier things like tips for people to begin reducing their carbon footprint and making sure that the carbon offset companies that we feature on the site can be trusted as genuine.

But Dr. Goodall’s message brought a new idea to light. What is the biggest tip that we can suggest to be green? What is the most critical thing that we can do to help save our planet from an uncertain future?

Care for our children.

Not preaching to them about stewardship to the environment. Not barking at them to turn out the lights and recycle. It is about us acting compassionate to them and to others. It is about them watching us be gentle and caring with nature. That is how they learn to care for Mother Earth and all the people who share her.

So that is my number one tip for being green. Loving and supporting our children; showing patience and encouragement.