How Environmentally Ignorant Are Our Children?

Environmental Activist Explains How Children Can Save the World

Discussion Topic
A phrase we have heard for decades has now fully entered into our daily
conversation, the evening news and everywhere else. Global warming. Finally,
after years of human destruction and callous treatment of the natural wonders,
the inevitable has happened: our environment is deteriorating. Even more
worrying is the fact that the generation which will be the most affected by this
malady is the one who is least interested. Can our children’s environmental
ignorance further harm our world? Let Francis T. Perry Williams,
environmentalist and author of “Pollen and the Ring of Harmony” (Greenleaf–
www.pollengreenarmy.com), share his advice to parents about how they can get
their kids off the sofa and active in saving the environment.

Talking Points
• What are some tips that parents can use to get their kids interested and
active in the environment?

• Is the first step in getting children interested in saving the environment

education?

• In your book a recurring theme is that human beings tend to be cruel and
inconsiderate. Why do you feel this way?

• Do you honestly feel that many of us have completely lost the connection
to nature and why do you believe that people who are closer to nature
seem to be happier, less violent and more respectful to others?

• Where do you feel that the utter lack of respect for our environment has
come from?

• Do you believe that our children will come up with the solution to global
warming?

• What is the value of living in harmony with nature and the world around
them?

Topic Overview
With global warming a hot news topic, for the first time it is really hitting home:
extreme climate change, a growing list of endangered species and an
astonishingly flippant attitude about recycling. Our world will soon be in the
hands of our children, but are they educated enough about the growing
environmental problems in order to not only be interested in them, but also take
action in solving them?

“Our younger generation is being raised in one of the most challenging times
ever,” says Francis T. Perry, environmentalist and author of the book “Pollen and
the Ring of Harmony” (Greenleaf – www.pollengreenarmy.com). “There is so
much information for them to process and it is easy for them to miss key facts
that they truly need to sit up and take notice of.”

Williams firmly believes that it is a parent’s duty to get their children educated
and involved with environmental issues in order to ignite a passion that can
translate into a greener world. So, as parents, you are called to not only talk the
talk, but also walk the walk. “Parents should set the example for their children.
First identify which environmental issues interest you and then learn as much
about them as possible.” This knowledge is the building blocks for your child’s
understanding of environmentalism.

Teach your children to appreciate the environment by educating them on the

importance of everything from recycling to the role that forests play in our
survival. Also, share with your children the facts about environmental issues you
are personally passionate about. “Empower and urge them to seek out further
information on their own,” says Williams. “Help them understand how powerful
this information is to share with others; their friends at school, in the community,
anywhere.”

Williams' goal is to start a whole new movement addressing this task of getting
children to care about our planet. Perry adds, “Awareness leads to beauty and
beauty leads to harmony.” As an eco-advocate, Perry is actively teaching the
younger generation to be more eco-friendly so they can live in harmony with
nature and the world around them.

With kindness and caring for the environment, our younger generation can begin
to make positive changes for their future.

About Francis T. Perry Williams

Francis T. Perry Williams attended San Diego State University for a degree in
drama with minors in art and music where he wrote, directed and acted. Upon
graduation, he appeared on several sitcoms including “Happy Days”, “Bosom
Buddies”, “Laverne and Shirley” and “MASH”, in addition to writing one of the
“Laverne and Shirley” episodes. A certified personal trainer with twenty-five
years experience, Perry keeps it “all natural, no steroids” for himself and his
celebrity clients. www.pollengreenarmy.com