Know any budding ethical pioneers?
Any conversation around ethical living inevitably tends to involve an element of guilt. Perhaps we feel a twinge of remorse when we book a flight, or scold ourselves for buying yet another gadget or outfit. Most of all, people tend to worry about the next generation – how are the kids growing up today going to cope with the planet as it faces increasing environmental threats?
The good news is that kids today are a resourceful bunch. While I used to long for the summer holidays so my dad could bring back a Commodore PET computer from the college where he worked, todays youngsters are online and interacting in ways we could never imagine. They have a clear grasp of the geography of the world and tend to be pretty engaged with environmental issues. They are also blessed with the youthful idealism which sadly leaves so many of us as we grow up and face the big, wide world.
Harnessing that idealism is a tremendous opportunity to build a future where we think about what could be possible rather than worrying about what isn’t. This year, as part of the Observer Ethical Awards project we manage, we are looking for budding ethical pioneers who can prove that the future is bright. We’re fortunate to have vocal advocates in the form of TV presenter Rick Edwards and model and actress Lily Cole, who have been offering advice and tips on the best projects to get involved in.
For many kids, being green and thinking about the planet will be a passing phase which they grow out of. For some, it will turn into a lifelong passion. The next Sir David Attenborough could be walking past you on the school run.
Leave a Reply