Generation Next: The World’s Young Eco Warriors
The days of children waiting around for grown-ups to save the planet are over. Nowadays, they’re taking conservation action into their own hands.
Consider Olivia and Carter Ries from Fayetteville, Georgia. At ages 7 and 8, with help from their father, they started OMG, shorthand for One More Generation. Their peer-to-peer organization empowers children to become environmental leaders, with a focus on endangered species.
“If we do not do something today to save the rhino, it will become extinct in my lifetime,” says Carter, now 13.
“We travel around the world to mobilize children to save nature,” adds Olivia, who at 12 also confided to me that “age discrimination” is a problem they contend with.
Tempting as it is for adults to chuckle about their seriousness, homeschooled Olivia and Carter are five years into propelling a kids movement. And they are not alone:
- In Australia, nine-year-old Ava McQueen spoke at the 2014 World Parks Congress last November, where she introduced her idea for “Party Like a Wild Animal” fundraising events.
- In Costa Rica, Janine Licare and Aislin Livingstone launched Kids Saving the Rainforest when they were nine years old. More than 15 years later, the group spearheads efforts in 18 countries, from encouraging school projects to building monkey bridges.
Obviously, kids cannot do everything on their own. But passionate advocates of all ages can raise environmental awareness to new heights.
This piece, written by Costas Christ, first appeared in the May 2015 issue of National Geographic Traveler magazine. Follow him on Twitter @costaschrist.
> Related:
- Should We Shoot One to Save the Rest?
- How to Save Africa’s Elephants
- From Poacher to Black Market [Infographic]
Related Topics
You May Also Like
Go Further
Animals
- How can we protect grizzlies from their biggest threat—trains?How can we protect grizzlies from their biggest threat—trains?
- This ‘saber-toothed’ salmon wasn’t quite what we thoughtThis ‘saber-toothed’ salmon wasn’t quite what we thought
- Why this rhino-zebra friendship makes perfect senseWhy this rhino-zebra friendship makes perfect sense
- When did bioluminescence evolve? It’s older than we thought.When did bioluminescence evolve? It’s older than we thought.
- Soy, skim … spider. Are any of these technically milk?Soy, skim … spider. Are any of these technically milk?
Environment
- Are the Great Lakes the key to solving America’s emissions conundrum?Are the Great Lakes the key to solving America’s emissions conundrum?
- The world’s historic sites face climate change. Can Petra lead the way?The world’s historic sites face climate change. Can Petra lead the way?
- This pristine piece of the Amazon shows nature’s resilienceThis pristine piece of the Amazon shows nature’s resilience
- Listen to 30 years of climate change transformed into haunting musicListen to 30 years of climate change transformed into haunting music
History & Culture
- Meet the original members of the tortured poets departmentMeet the original members of the tortured poets department
- Séances at the White House? Why these first ladies turned to the occultSéances at the White House? Why these first ladies turned to the occult
- Gambling is everywhere now. When is that a problem?Gambling is everywhere now. When is that a problem?
- Beauty is pain—at least it was in 17th-century SpainBeauty is pain—at least it was in 17th-century Spain
Science
- Here's how astronomers found one of the rarest phenomenons in spaceHere's how astronomers found one of the rarest phenomenons in space
- Not an extrovert or introvert? There’s a word for that.Not an extrovert or introvert? There’s a word for that.
- NASA has a plan to clean up space junk—but is going green enough?NASA has a plan to clean up space junk—but is going green enough?
- Soy, skim … spider. Are any of these technically milk?Soy, skim … spider. Are any of these technically milk?
Travel
- Could Mexico's Chepe Express be the ultimate slow rail adventure?Could Mexico's Chepe Express be the ultimate slow rail adventure?
- What it's like to hike the Camino del Mayab in MexicoWhat it's like to hike the Camino del Mayab in Mexico