The United Nations Climate Change conference is currently underway (Dec 7 – Dec 18) in Copenhagen, Denmark. Today – 12 December 2009 – is D-Day for the planet as world leaders meeting in Copenhagen do a global deal on climate change.

As tens of thousands of environmental activists descend on the city to pressure world leaders to do more to combat climate change, SmartBean would like to offer ten ways in which you can encourage your child to become a “green” citizen of planet earth, in no particular order. In this first of a 2-part series, we offer our first 5 suggestions.

It’s hip to be “green”! Seize the opportunity these holidays!

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1. Fun stories on environmental consciousness and eco-friendly living

Help your kids nurture a deeper, long-lasting love for nature and the environment by increasing their awareness of topical environmental issues. For shoring up on children’s books that are centered around the subject of the earth, nature, and green living, check out this handy list on SmartBean. Here are a few of our favorites for kids of all ages-

	Meet Meet Michael Recycle , a new kind of super-hero, who will mend the world of its wasteful ways and unleash a green revolution! He wears a green cape (what else?) and rescues a town that has been overtaken with trash. (Ages 4-8)
	We Are Extremely Good Recyclers teaches the importance of recycling to young readers. Charlie and Lola go through different aspects of what it takes to be good recyclers and how each of them affects the earth. (Ages 4-8)
	Planting the Trees of Kenya: The Story of Wangari Maathai is an award-winning book that tells the remarkable story of one woman’s effort to change the fate of her land by teaching many to care for it. (Ages 9-12)
	The Polar Bears’ Home is a story that shows how global warming affects two baby polar bear cubs and their family; and includes tips for kids on what they can do to help slow down global warming. This book is part of the new “green” series – Little Green Books – that educate children on what they can do to be more eco-friendly.
	Those looking for healthful alternatives to processed foods will find inspiration in this book to seek out farmers’ markets and to learn to cook and enjoy seasonal foods. Give this title to budding Martha Stewarts, green-leaning fans of Al Gore’s An Inconvenient Truth, and kids outraged by Eric Schlosser’s Fast Food Nation (Young Adult).

2. Informative and engaging non-fiction books

There is an ever-growing selection of engaging books that teach kids the science of the environment and issues like global warming and climate change. Many of the recent ones also include tips on what we can do to reverse the dangerous trends. Here are our picks-

	The Cartoon Guide to the Environment covers the main topics of environmental science: chemical cycles, life communities, food webs, agriculture, human population growth, sources of energy and raw materials, and much more – all in Larry Gonick’s inimitable style! (Young Adult)
	What’s So Bad About Gasoline? teaches kids about the world’s dependence on oil as its main source of energy. It makes kids aware of alternative energy sources that can help us use less oil and also protect the environment. (Ages 4-8)
	Earth in the Hot Seat, Bulletins from a Warming World is an exceptional book from National Geographic that uses excellent color photographs and accessible text to introduce the subject of global warming. (Ages 9-12)
	A Hot Planet Needs Cool Kids gives kids, parents, and teachers will find the very latest information about the causes and effects of climate change, how people are working to reduce it, and ways kids and their families and schools can join the fight. (Ages 9-12).

3. Cool movies about the hot planet

National Geographic – Human Footprint

The 11th Hour

NOVA – World in the Balance: The Population Paradox

An Inconvenient Truth

There are some great free videos too, like this one famously titled The Story of Stuff -

4. Awesome online resources, games and activities

Eco Kids

EPA Kids Club

EEK! EE for Kids

The Greens

Tree Hugger

NASA Climate Change

Climate Crisis

Green Guide

5. Inspirational words that build empathy for the earth and the environment

The internet is a great resource for words of wisdom on just about any topic, and planet earth, the environment, and human folly in this regard, is no exception. This site is but one such. Share with your children the ones that you relate to. We list a few of our favorites here. There are few who will not be moved by Carl Sagan’s sentiments in the “Pale Blue Dot” video below.