Doing Your Best Is Good Enough

 

Happy Earth Week! The week of environmental education and action will culminate this Saturday, April 22 — Earth Day 2023. This year’s theme is Invest In Our Planet:

The Earth Day 2023 theme is focused on engaging the more than 1 billion people, governments, institutions, and businesses who participate in Earth Day to recognize our collective responsibility and to help accelerate the transition to an equitable, prosperous green economy for all. We are focused on reframing the conversation, accelerating action, and bringing everyone together to understand that this is within our reach if we work together.

 

Of all the environmental health challenges covered on The PediaBlog in recent years, it is rising temperatures, melting glaciers, rising seas, and extreme and dangerous weather from climate change that seems to garner the most attention and cause the most anxiety among parents and children, says pediatrician Rebecca Philipsborn, M.D.:

Climate change can be scary and overwhelming for children and families. It causes harm from storms, wildfires, emerging illnesses, and heat and air pollution. Many of these harms build upon one another to worsen child health.

If the problem feels overwhelming, you aren’t alone. Recently, 10,000 people age 16 years to 25 years old from 10 countries were surveyed about climate change and government responses to climate change. Over half said they felt sad, anxious, angry, powerless, helpless and guilty; 83% agreed that people have failed to take care of the planet.

 

Pediatricians Aparna Bole, M.D. and Claire McCarthy, M.D. identify important climate solutions that will lead to cleaner air and a more stable climate system, resulting in immediate health benefits for all children:

• Clean, renewable energy

• Healthy transportation systems, including public transit and walkable, bikeable communities

• Vibrant, inclusive cities that contain safe places for all kids to live, learn, walk and play

• Sustainable food systems and plant-forward, whole-food diets

• Resilient communities and health care systems that are prepared for the effects of climate change

 

Kids need their parents, teachers, and other adults in their communities to advocate for a safer and healthier environment that will support and nurture them:

The climate crisis can feel like an overwhelming topic and can be a source of anxiety for kids and families. Being involved in action and advocacy can help. You can:

• Reduce your own energy consumption and waste. Walking, biking, taking public transit, carpooling, and adopting a more plant-forward diet are all ways to be more mindful about our relationship with the planet.

• Let kids know that their voices and advocacy can be powerful. Kids may be inspired to know that some of our most effective and powerful climate advocates today are children and youth. They, too, can engage in climate advocacy with policymakers, family and friends.

• Show them you care. Let kids know that their adult caregivers—parents and pediatricians included—are committed to advocating for climate action to protect their health.

We can be honest, action-oriented and hopeful in talking with our kids about climate change!

 

Dr. Philipsborn says every little positive change can have a big impact, so kids shouldn’t feel so powerless and helpless about climate change:

• Focusing on healthy food choices rich in plant-based nutrition helps reduce your child’s risk of chronic diseases and support child health today and tomorrow.

• Serve a variety of nutritious foods:

⇒  Incorporate local, fresh, and plant-based foods

⇒  Eat less red meat

⇒  Avoid processed foods, processed sugars and processed meats

• To reduce food waste, plan meals, cut back on the amount of food you buy and eat leftovers or foods that will spoil first so that you do not have to throw them away.

• Start a backyard compost or participate in your community’s compost program where available

• Choose active (walking and biking) and public transportation when possible and safe

• Support “safe routes to school” programs

• Speak up about the benefits of electric or alternative-fuel school buses and other changes for cleaner air in your community

• Weatherize your home to save on energy use and save money

• Consider rooftop solar panels or supporting clean energy through your utility company

• Advocate for green building design for community projects, schools, and new construction

• Encourage outdoor play and programs that support access to nature for children

• Support your community’s local tree ordinance and environmental planning

• Consider an electric vehicle or electric bicycle

• Support your child if they want to get involved in a local youth organization

 

Earth Day organizers suggest additional things parents can do to get involved:

Every parent wants their children to grow into responsible, considerate, and successful adults. Commemorating Earth Day as a family is key to nurturing these values and ensuring that nature and sustainability are an important part of your child’s identity.

• Have a conversation with your children about the importance of living sustainably and identify ways that your family can improve together.

• Work together as a family to implement as many of these 52 Actions and Tips to make a difference.

• Take your family to a local cleanup, or start your own in the neighborhood or a nearby park!

• Plant a pollinator garden with your kids for a fun, impactful, and educational day outside.

• Use our plastic calculator with your kids and discuss how your family can reduce plastic consumption.

 

Every one of these actions are important, and they can make a positive difference and help create a clean and safe environment for kids to grow and thrive. One doesn’t have to change everything all at once, and perfection isn’t required (which is good, considering perfection is impossible for any person to achieve).

Solving environmental challenges like the climate crisis requires in each of us an awareness of the situation and a willingness to do the best we can to  make things better for ourselves, our children, and our grandchildren. With that in mind, doing the best we can really will be good enough.

 

source https://www.thepediablog.com/2023/04/17/doing-your-best-is-good-enough/