Are the Youth today aware?

[g.bims88]

I have a question. Are the youth of this generation being taught in school about the environment? I'm talking about awareness. Not just general science classes. Because eventually they're gonna be the ones who'll be taking over in the future, and what better than to make them aware early on in life?

[KPaulson]

Although I am not very involved in the local school systems, as a community member I have definitely seen an increase in green/sustainable living awareness being taught in the schools. One example is that a local high school has a garden program called Project Sprout. "It is the first student-initiated and student-run vegetable garden at a public high school in the United States..."-Read more about it at Project Sprout | Orion Magazine (http://www.orionmagazine.org/index.php/articles/article/5058/) In summary, Project Sprout educates students in the high school, middle school, and elementary school all while bringing community awareness and involvement. Another trend that I have see is the increase of schools seeking LEED for Schools or CHPS certification. Both certifications have educational requirements :).

[cheryl]

Agree to the thread starter, what better way indeed? As cliche as it may sound, "the Children are our future" as the popular song goes. What do we have today? Thousands of kids playing violent video games and Facebook. Geez...

@KPaulson: That project looks awesome! Kudos to you and your high school for this. There should be more projects like this.

[dorothykinder]

Absolutely rightly said cheryl, younger generation are now a days are hooked up to Facebook, Twitter and many other smart phones which they keep on texting while driving or what ever they do. They are least to learn from anyone and more over self learning is all blocked due to these gadgets and networking. They are good at their place, but how about the environment, it's also needed to be cared. Right!!

If every one of us start caring for the environment, Mother Earth will definitely replenish us with her fruits.. :)

[EliteCleanEnergy]

Is the youth aware? Yes.
Do they care? No.
If the importance, and significance of the green cause was explained, then I'm sure you could answer "yes" to both of these questions.

[Val]

Some of the youth care and some of the youth have been taught at least some things about being green and general ecology. The most are too busy with junk, and the trend has been toward declining IQs and education, along with increased obesity and laziness.
http://www.yourmedievalfuture.com/?p=276#more-276

[planplantplanet]

It's a very widespread and upsetting cultural problem. We are currently living in a time that is all about the dollar and I know that young people buy into this. Even without knowing it that it all comes down to money they are still a part of it. For example video games/new clothes/latest trends > the environment. In working with youth in outdoor education I see that they love to be outside and having fun, but once they are away from the place and back in their "normal" environments of televisions, computers and cell phones, I really can't say if they held on to what they learned. It's instinctual to be outside and be feeling great, or having lots of fun, and with time a sense of stewardship can be brought to light, but it's not something that will come through the normal school system in my opinion. My time in High School and what have you was very oriented towards getting this, getting that, excelling, becoming the superstar, and the superstar requires a lot of resources to keep shining. consumer cultures gotta go.
But that's a rant for another time, outdoor education centers are the way to go, and the green movement has hit many many schools. In my work I've worked with schools who have sense began composting, school gardens, outdoor classrooms, and so on and so forth, the schools are really buying into it right now, use it to the advantage ;) get dem kidz outsiiiide