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It may be the grown-ups who make the decisions, but it's the kids who will one day inherit the planet!

So why aren't kids becoming more involved in the world green movement?

Basically, kids don't possess the purchasing power or lifestyle choices that allow most adults to define themselves as environmentally friendly.

However, teaching kids about sustainability, alternative energy and respect for the earth is of vital importance, say many educators, because it can engage them in active participation today, and better prepare them for the choices they will make in the future.

Making 'green' cool for kids

The toy industry is currently taking up the banner with eco-friendly toys that help involve young imaginations.

Offering hands-on projects for the home or classroom, teachers and parents have an even a stronger role in teaching the importance of the environment and our energy future:

• In the backyard, parents can organize a fun kids garden project or help grow an organic garden to let children discover the importance of growing their own food, or to build a compost heap to learn more about food recycling.
  
  

• Around the house, parents can also do little things like teach kids about energy saving and why it's important to turn the lights off, or how recycling cans, cardboard and other materials helps the environment.
  
  

• In schools, projects can be initiated in cooperation with neighborhood groups to encourage participation in Earth Day activities or year-round community service.
  
  

• Teachers can also plan school trips to local farmers markets, recycling centers, or alternative energy plants.

Besides being fun and educational, hands-on projects and group outings also afford valuable real-life experience — to hopefully help make going green 'way cool' for a whole new generation.

Around the Web, discover more great ideas on how to involve kids in the green movement at expert sites offering facts, information, tips and suggestions for craft projects, activities and lesson plans for home or at school, along with pictures and video, interactive games and cool clip art ...

More about kids going green around the Web:

Teaching Green - Excellent directory to top sites offering information, guides, lesson plans, facts & information on environmental education for the home and classroom.

Taking It to the Class: Green Projects for the Classroom - Another great collection of teaching lessons from around the Web, courtesy of Edutopia.com

EEK! Environmental Education for Kids - Bright, colorful site with information on the planet's wildlife and endangered species, as well as plant life, conservation, recycling and global warming with related pictures & video, teaching guides, resources.

Eco Friendly Kids - Major UK site for kids that teaches the importance of recycling, biodiversity and nature, the dangers of pollution and global warming with related topics including tips, activity ideas, games, printable coloring pages and lots more.

The Green Guide for Kids - Daily blogs with ideas for activities, fun craft projects, and other teaching guides with related resources.