Kid Power: the Ultimate Renewable Energy Pt. 2

In order for our cross-country video project to be successful, we need to give kids a good set of tools they can use to make change happen in their communities.

Our mission is to inspire and empower kids to create a renewable and sustainable future. Kids across the U.S. will see our videos - then what? Hopefully we'll help kids to feel like they have the power to create meaningful change in their lives and communities, and it's our job to empower kids with ways they can get started. It's easy for kids and adults to feel intimidated by the choices out there, so we'll break it down into 3 categories: individual, community, and political.

1. Individual
Do small choices/changes really make any difference? Nobody wants to feel like they are sacrificing, especially when nobody else is making an effort. We'll give a Top 10 list of things people can do to have a real impact - no symbolic changes that don't make any real difference.

2. Community
Creating meaningful change in the community is where kids can really shine. Bringing sustainability to communities is an investment in time and energy - people want to make sure the results of their efforts are worthwhile. We'll provide a set of action "toolkits" for kids to use as resources to start project to make their communities more sustainable. These will not be a simple list of suggestions, but a detailed, how-to with videos and success stories of others whose projects made their communities more sustainable.

3. Political
The solutions to create a renewable and sustainable future have to be non-partisan. Kids can demand that their politicians tart being part of the solution rather than being part of the problem. Why would politicians care about the opinions of kids that can't vote? Because their parents can, and because politicians want to avoid looking bad at all costs.

The Internet has many great resources for helping people make more sustainable choices, but these are geared mostly for adults. We can add tremendous value to resources online by addressing what actions kids can make individually, in their community, and politically. Green living and sustainability may be new to many adults, but these will be concepts that kids will be living with for their whole lives. Following our videos across the U.S. may be the first part of that journey, but the road stretches much farther still.

Be well,
Colin