Friends won't go green??

Question

I have started to 'Go Green'. I recycle, turn lights off, reuse paper bags, things like that. None of my friends care the least bit about the environment and I see them do harmful things all the time! (Keep in mind I am 12). But it really bugs me because recycling is a good thing to do and now more than ever it will help the environment. How can I get my friends to like it, too?

Answer 1

Your friends probably focus on something else, and think that isn't important. Tell them, to keep in mind they should do this for their own good, so the earth won't fall apart, not to be nerdy. Also, when "going green" you don't have to make it stand out, all you need to do is make a good part from your home. If other people don't do it, that's their problem, atleast you know from you part you have made a difference.

Answer 2

All you can really do is be a good example. Some of them will eventually catch on, and some never will. You can't force them.

Answer 3

I know how you feel!Before all the sections about going green came out i was already green and nobody cared. Tell your friend these facts.More than half of the 10 million species of insects,plants,and animals on the planet live in tropical rain forest. At one time Rain forest covered 14% of Earths surface.Rain forest cover now only 6%. Per second one acre of the forest is cut down!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!... If people keep tis going TROPICAL RAIN FORESTS WILL BE GONE LESS THEN 40 YEARS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 4

Have a sleepover with all of them, and then when things start to slow down, play a movie, but make the movie a global warming movie, telling them the effects of recycling and going green. After the movie, trust me they will be more green than you.

Hope I Helped

Answer 5

Tell them every time they leave a light on, god kills a puppy, and every time they throw away something that could be recycled god kills a kitten.

Seriously though If saying something to them a few times doesn't help, then it's best to just leave them alone. If you bug them too much about it, they might start avoiding you...like I avoid those people who constantly try to push their religion on me. I hate that.

Accept your friends for who they are, not who you want them to be.

Answer 6

We can only change ourselves and hope our efforts inspire or enlighten others. Many of us are raised in a way that doesn't consider our consequences to the earth. Going Green is becoming very mainstream in our society. Just keep doing the right thing, become more informed, share what you are doing and the benifit of it.

You may not think they are listening, but when the light bulb finally goes on your friends will know who to ask about these things.

I have several friends that seem to dismiss what I'm saying when I talk about a healthier or more sustainable life. Now they are asking my about my hybrid and my sister in law who is a hair stylist, just switched all her retail products to natural and organics, with all recycled packaging.

I would suggest you ask them to set aside their recycling so you can recycle it. If they see there is a profit in it, it may change their minds.

Answer 7

Hey, I do the exact thing last year my class for half of the year researched global warming and found out some very harmfull thinggs but what got them thinking was the little facts. Just show them the effects of global warming. Say, "hey if you dont stop wat're your doind now, then we arent going to benefit in the future.You could also Make a Slideshow With Pictures that touch their heart or just a few simple facts.

Answer 8

You and your friends can visit www.enviroteens.com, which provides lots of information  on how to go green, and very easy ways to save the environment. There is even a chatroom where you can talk to other concerned kids about your environmental issues.

Answer 9

Good for you! Sometimes being a quiet example is the best way to change minds. Keep doing what you're doing and explain why when your friends notice.

One thing you might try, have a slumber party and give each person who attends a small CFL bulb as a gift. Show them how they give the same light but use less power. Then just let them think about it. Maybe when Hannah Montana starts using CFLs they will wake up. <G>

Answer 10

well they don't have the developed mind that you do..They are 12...most 12 year olds I know are pretty retarded...lol

but if you really wanna try...I would suggest doing something fun together that is actually "fun". Maybe you have fun cleaning the park or..turning off a light switch.....plant trees...

ya...lol

Answer 11

I agree with what some of the others have said. Lecturing or trying to make them feel guilty isn't a good way to change their minds. It's better just to set an example for them by continuing to go green yourself without drawing attention to it. They'll catch on eventually.

One exception might be in your own house, where you have the right to ask them to turn off lights when they leave a room or put their pop cans in the recycling bin instead of the trash. If necessary, tell them that your parents made it a new rule.

Answer 12

Remember Gandhi’s often quoted saying, “Be the change you wish to see.”  

When it comes to lifestyle changes like “going Green,” coercion and guilt are probably the least effective means to getting people to change.  Leading by example is the best way to show your friends and others that sustainable changes are easy and can be fun.  I love marci452’s CFL slumber party idea.  Maybe you could also decorate canvas lunch or tote bags, or even water bottles, all items which can be reused.  

Being a force for change is hard work – hang in there!

Answer 13

Going green will become more in vogue as energy and food become more expensive.  Soon they and their parents will figure out that turning off lights and eating low on the food chain saves money as well as being easier on the earth.  And when we start to see shortages of things like electricity (because we won't conserve, and don't want to build new power plants), the conservation required will not bother you, because you've been doing it all along.

Stay the course - they'll see you were right all along soon.

DK

Answer 14

Worry about being a kid and not some made up environmental crisis.

You only get to be a kid once and the Earth is not in any danger.

Answer 15

Good 4 u. im 11 and im getting my friends, fam, and relitives to join in. Tell them "Hey guys, when the world ends cause Global Warming, I BLAME YOU" i say that 2 my bro hes the oppisite of Green... hes DIRTY!!

Answer 16

Have you ever seen the show 'Wasted'? It airs on the Planet Green network. I am 26, but my younger brother is 21 and I'm trying to convince him of the same thing! Anyway, I made him come over (I lured him with a home-cooked meal lol) and watch that show with me and it broke it down on a whole other level for him....maybe you should invite your friends over to watch an episode or two? I think the problem is that so many people have the misconception that going green is a pain in the butt- but in fact it's actually very easy, it saves money and it simplifies your life. Who wouldn't be into that? I think it's more than okay for you to voice your opinions when your friends do something harmful- I do the same thing! And good for you for setting such a good example at a young age! Think about how much you have already contributed to the preservation of this planet!

Answer 17

I understand your problem. Just don't care about your friends. I know it's hard, but keep going green. They'll follow sooner or later. Or just leave them alone and they'll find out the danger we're in because of what we do. Or when they go on doing harmful things to the environment, you clean up after them. Or just stand up for yourself. It doesn't matter if you look like an idiot, your doing what you think is right, that's the greatest we can do for our environment and for ourselves...

Answer 18

Your friends have a right to their own opinion.

Stop trying to be a socialist .

AGW is B.S.

Answer 19

be yourself...just do the right thing for you...maybe the idiots will see.