Here's My Great Green Idea!

Although we do a lot as a family to be "green," my 10-year-old son Tom is a true ambassador for the Earth. He always tries to promote environmental issues when he can. Last fall, he decided that he wanted to be "Global Warming" for Halloween, to increase awareness of the problem--and because he said it was the scariest thing he could think of! He came up with the idea for the costume, and then we worked together to make it. He researched the effects of global warming, such as rising sea levels and increased risk of drought, and then placed small signs describing these effects all over the costume. At every house, he called out "Trick or Treat, Beware the Heat!" The costume was really a hit--at many houses, whole families came to the door to see him! And teenagers particularly seemed to love it. He really made an impact--even after Halloween, I met families in the community who were still talking about "the boy who dressed up as Global Warming."

Tom is a kid who has really taken the environment to heart. From walking to school to running for school council on a green "platform," he really tries to do what he can for the planet. And by reaching out to other kids and families in a fun and memorable way, hopefully he can make a difference.