Kids Can…Develop Environmental Empathy

The formula is simple, and the story has been written and rewritten a million times over. Take Scott Harrison from Charity: Water, who was so moved by his visit to West Africa that he was inspired to start an organization dedicated to providing clean water to people in Africa, and now, the world. Or the story of Rachel Carson, author of Silent Spring, who was raised on a farm in Pennsylvania and went on to lay the foundation for the environmental movement of the 60’s and 70’s.

These stories share one common thread–empathy. Those inspired to make change connect with their cause empathically, by having immersed themselves in the environment they ultimately choose to support. Their drive and their accomplishments are sustainable because they are empaths.

• » See also: Grow Your Own Tree Hugger: 101 Activities to Teach Your Child How to Live Green
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When I think of children, a related question comes to mind: How do you foster environmental empathy? If a child spends his/her life glued to a television set or a computer screen, what is the probability that this same child will connect with the environment…and value the environment?

It’s a question that my parents asked of my sister and me. It’s a question I see my friends asking of their toddlers now. An undisputed fact, however, is the work of Richard Louv, author of Last Child in the Woods and founder of the Children and Nature Network. Richard Louv discusses the importance of combating “nature deficit disorder”, and his work has spawned countless “Leave No Child Inside” initiatives across the US.

Both sites are an invaluable resource for identifying activities to help children connect more with nature. If you are looking for an effective way to raise the environmental consciousness of the children around you, the first step is raising their environmental empathy. Let Richard Louv be your guide.

Know something “kids can” do to help the environment? Know something that a “kid did” to make a difference? Send me an email: suneet@dream-village.org.

Image Courtesy nicoleta gramada via Flickr under Creative Commons License.

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