by Patty Bates-Ballard

Created on: June 20, 2008   Last Updated: June 22, 2008

Most Americans believe that preserving the environment is important, whether from a perspective of self-preservation, or a broader spiritual worldview. Teaching ecological principles to your children could make a difference in their future quality of life. But who can keep it all straight? Can't tell a greenhouse gas from a GMO? And what's all this about Kyoto? This environmental primer covers ten basic issues that parents really do need to understand in order to make healthy choices for our children and our planet.

1) Chemicals. At the same time that the industrial revolution (i.e., machines doing a lot of the work people used to do) has provided a more comfortable life, it has introduced somewhere around 70,000 new chemicals into our lives. These chemicals are accompanied by increases in diseases like asthma, cancer and ADHD (not to mention obesity). From cleaning products to finishes on wood, carpet and vinyl, we are overloaded with chemicals that can cause severe reactions in children, whose immune systems are less developed, and who absorb more pollutants per pound of body weight than adults. Most plastics are made from petroleum, combined with various chemicals. Poly vinyl chloride (PVC) is quite toxic just take one whiff of a brand new piece of the stuff. That "new smell" of a car, building, or even a plastic toy is a warning sign that toxic volatile organic compounds' are filling up your lungs and those of your family.

What to do: Use natural cleaning products that contain no harsh chemicals and give the added bonus of being un-huffable. When building or remodeling a home or office, ask for environmentally friendly building materials. When you shop for toys, clothing, dishware, greeting cards, etc., look for items made of cotton, glass, and other natural and recycled materials. Take your own cloth bags on all your shopping trips.

2)Petroleum. Even though oil is becoming increasingly scarce, we keep burning it like there's an endless supply. Most of the petroleum that's left in the earth is either in pristine wilderness areas or politically treacherous developing countries. The more oil we continue to use, the less there will be, and the more wars there will be fought over it.

What to do: Walk more and combine trips that require driving. Turn off the lights and the TV when you leave the room and use your electric heater and air conditioner sparingly even if you aren't worried about the money - at least save the oil.

3) Carbon dioxide. When cars and factories

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