Earth Babies: How To Reduce Your Child’s Environmental Footprint

Between talks on climate change, global warming, effects of carbon emissions, and the great debate about Greta Thunberg, it is a known fact that our environment is changing rapidly. 

As parents, it is our responsibility to practice “Green” parenting, and teach our children to become aware and how to do their part to preserve our natural resources.  

The most effective way to raise eco-conscious kids is to practice what we preach. We can’t build habits with words alone – let’s set the example, and do our part to reduce our family’s environmental footprint, teaching our children along the way.

Back to Basics 

We all grew up with simple rules. “Switch off the lights when you leave the room,” or “Turn off the water while you are brushing your teeth.” I wasn’t even permitted to turn on the air-conditioning until bedtime. 

Thanks to these daily reminders, turning off the lights is practically instinctive. Don’t underestimate the effect of setting simple rules and daily reminders. It creates habits that will last well into adulthood. 

Walk This Way

Living in one of the most polluted cities in the world hinders most of us from walking to work or school every day. However, when you can walk, please do! 

If you’re running errands or spending quality time together, and it’s in a place where it’s safe enough to walk around with young children, then get those steps in. It’s good for the environment and your health. 

Lampin Loving 

Cloth diapers should be a staple in your home. Aside from being eco-friendly, they’re soft and gentle, and the best option for babies with sensitive skin. They’re also very versatile. Use them as burping clothes, a light blanket, a shield from the sun, and an alternative to baby wipes. 

Once baby outgrows them, you can repurpose them into dusting and cleaning rags.
 
Segregate your trash 

From cans, to bottles, glass, and plastics – by simply segregating your trash, you eliminate a large portion of what goes back into landfills or dumped in the ocean. Get recycling bins, and keep a separate one for compostable trash you can use for fertilizer. 
Reuse and reduce 

We buy many things for our children: clothes, bottles, appliances, strollers, carriers, cribs – the list is endless!  But when it comes to environmentally-responsible parenting, less is more.

Try to use hand-me-downs instead of buying everything new. It’s not just economical, but also helps reduce waste. When you’re done with an item, donate it or sell it online. 
Buy only necessities. Talk to other moms about what they really used and what worked for them.

Practice Meatless Mondays

Did you know that replacing meat with alternative sources of protein like beans, nuts, and lentils can reduce harmful gas emissions to the atmosphere? It takes more farmland (and more fossil fuels) to raise and transport livestock than vegetables. 

Take a stand and have a plant-based diet even for just one day each week. Another tip is to grow your own vegetables at home. The Filipino diet uses staples like kamatis, malunggay, and calamansi, which are all easy to grow, even in a small space. If that isn’t a possibility, always buy from local farmers and try to choose organic produce. 

As a whole, any organic food – vegetables, meat, milk – is both healthier and also more sustainable, because it does not use chemicals that can seep into the soil and water sources. 

Bring Your Own Bottle

Carry your own reusable shopping bags, water bottles, cutlery, and straws (or better yet, stop using straws). 

This is another example of a habit that is easy to pass on to your children, and is especially uncomplicated because durable and reusable items are readily available in most department stores.  

Saving mother earth, one child at a time is an obligation when it comes to raising families today. 

Reference

About The Writer

Georgia Schulze – Del Rosario

Georgia Schulze – Del Rosario is a bit of a cliché – the woman who wears many hats. But to her, that is just what all mothers are – individuals that have mastered the art of multi tasking. The writer and mother of four shares with us her experiences and insights as a working mom, a wife, and what it is like to raise a family in today’s modern world.

The views and opinions expressed by the writer are his/her own, and does not state or reflect those of Wyeth Nutrition and its principals.