Navigation
An introduction to environmental ethics and our responsibility to look after nature.
Imagine if your favorite playground was covered in sticky candy wrappers and the flowers couldn't see the sun. How would the birds and butterflies feel if their home was messy?
The Earth is like a giant house that we share with many neighbors. Our neighbors aren't just people; they are plants, animals, and even tiny bugs! Just like you feel happy in a clean bedroom, animals need a clean home to find food and sleep safely. We call this big outdoor world Nature. Because animals don't have hands to hold trash bags or brooms to sweep, they rely on us to be their helpers and keep their home tidy.
Quick Check
Why do animals need humans to help keep nature clean?
Answer
Because animals cannot use tools or trash cans to clean up their own homes.
Litter is trash that is left on the ground instead of being put in a bin. Litter is a big problem for our friends in nature. If a piece of plastic covers a sprout, the plant can't get the sunlight it needs to grow. Sometimes, a hungry bird might think a shiny wrapper is a snack, which can make its tummy hurt. When we put trash where it belongs, we are protecting our wild friends from getting sick or lost.
Imagine a small flower trying to grow. 1. A heavy paper plate falls on top of the flower. 2. The plate blocks the sun from reaching the leaves. 3. A child picks up the plate and puts it in the bin. 4. Now the flower can see the sun again!
Quick Check
What is one way litter can hurt a plant?
Answer
It can block the sunlight that the plant needs to grow.
Being a friend to the Earth means making choices that help nature stay strong. You don't have to be a grown-up to make a difference! Small actions add up to big changes. We can save water by turning off the faucet while we brush our teeth, or we can use a reusable bottle instead of a plastic one. Every time you choose to help, you are telling the Earth, 'I care about you!'
Let's look at how we use water: 1. You turn the water on to wet your toothbrush. 2. You turn the water off while you brush for minutes. 3. You turn it back on just to rinse. By doing this, you save many cups of water for the fish in the rivers!
If you see a bug in your house: 1. Instead of squishing it, ask a grown-up for a cup. 2. Carefully trap the bug inside. 3. Carry it outside to a safe bush. 4. You just saved life and helped the garden stay balanced!
What is the word for trash that is left on the ground?
How can you help a bird today?
Turning off the water while you brush your teeth helps the Earth.
Review Tomorrow
Tomorrow morning, look out your window and try to name three things in nature (like a tree, a bird, or a cloud) that you want to help protect.
Practice Activity
Go on a 'Beauty Walk' with a grown-up. See if you can find one piece of litter to put in the bin to make the world more beautiful!