Why Should Teens Go Green?

An Interview With Ally Maize from the Green Youth Movement

By Holly Rotman Ashworth, About.com Guide

One quick way to go green: just say no to plastic bags.

Photo Courtesy of Getty Images

Ally Maize founded the Green Youth Movement, an organization that educates kids and teens about green living, when she was 15 years old. She stopped by Teen Advice to explain why you, as a teen, should care about saving the environment, and what you can do to get involved.

Teens have so much stress in their lives, between school, their families and their friends. Why do you want them to start caring about the environment, too?
I know that sometimes life can seem too busy to worry about the environment, but that’s exactly why I started Green Youth Movement. I want to make it easy for kids and teens to live green, and I believe small changes can make a big difference for the earth. By educating teens on these easy ways to contribute, I can help them incorporate green living methods into their busy lives. No one is too busy to care about our future, especially when there are simple ways to make a difference. After all, today’s teens are inheriting the earth, we need to create change now.

What are some easy things that teens can do that can make a difference?
There are so many simple things teens can do to help. We can walk or ride a bike to school instead of driving, use reusable bottles and shopping bags, help our families recycle, switch to fluorescent light bulbs, use less energy by turning off devices at home, take a bath instead of a shower, plant trees, and most importantly, spread the word!

Most teens don’t make big decisions about the household, like what food to buy or how much heating or air conditioning to use. What would you say to teens who want to get their families to be more green?
At home, it’s not always easy to be totally green when your family isn’t on the same page. However, there are several little ways teens can contribute, and hopefully gain their parents support in the future. Teens can start recycling at home and offer to take care of the trash. The next time you notice a light bulb that needs to be changed, ask to replace it with a fluorescent one -- they last 10 times longer! Teens can also give eco-friendly gifts like reusable water bottles to promote a green lifestyle within their family. Once your parents see how easy it is to make green changes, they will support you and your cause.

What about at school? A lot of schools don’t have recycling programs. What’s a teen to do?
My dream is to one day see an environmental course of study integrated in schools across the nation, in addition to implementing recycling programs that make it easy for kids and teach them green living habits. Though we are not there yet, the Green Youth Movement is making a lot of progress in schools. I encourage everyone to take the initiative to start a recycling program at any school that lacks one. Ask your administration if you can have recycling bins on campus, and start a group or club that can help. A few small changes can make a huge difference.

If you want to learn more about Ally and her cause, stop by the Green Youth Movement's website!

Check out GYM on about.com