These days, there is a higher emphasis on sustainability, and everyone doing what they can to eradicate problems across the world like global warming.
People are becoming more aware of how some of the things everyone takes for granted are negatively impacting the planet.
As a responsible parent, you’re likely reading this because you want to teach your children to be responsible for the planet as they become adults, and you’d like to leave a lasting legacy to that effect.
But, what can you do to leave such a legacy to them – both now and after you’re gone? Here are some suggestions you might consider:
Plan An Eco-Friendly Funeral For Yourself
It’s no secret that most people don’t want to think about or plan their funerals while they’re still alive. Yet, it makes complete sense if you’ve got a family in tow, as it means they won’t have the trouble of doing so on top of grieving for you.
Did you know that it’s possible to have eco-friendly or “green” funerals that are better options to conventional choices like burials and cremations?
For example, aquamation is a water-based and accelerated version of natural decomposition that has minimal impact on the planet. Such alternatives to conventional options will help inspire future generations to consider the same choices and help the planet.
Start A Tree-Planting Program
Planting just one tree helps the planet in so many ways. For example, it helps fight climate change, restores landscapes damaged by logging or wildfires, and even helps to establish new habitats for birds, animals, and insects to thrive.
If a single tree helps make such a difference, imagine the positive change you could enact with dozens, hundreds, or even thousands of trees planted.
To that end, you could start a tree-planting program that your children could carry on for you when you’re not around. It’s an excellent legacy to leave your kids and is something they can pass on to future generations.
Buy Some Land For A Wilding Project
The sad truth about today’s modern world is that people are turning undeveloped land into places where they can build homes, factories, and other premises. While that helps with an increasing population, it has a detrimental effect on wildlife.
For example, it’s not uncommon to hear stories of wild animals entering towns and cities searching for food because they can’t get any in the wild. To combat that problem, wilding is a way of balancing disturbances in ecology.
A wilding project involves buying some land and effectively letting nature take control of it. It’s a lasting legacy for both your children and the survival of future generations of animals, birds, and insects.
Start A Conservation Project
Another way you can help the environment and leave something that your children can continue when you’re no longer around is by starting a conservation project.
Launching such an ambitious project is an excellent way to protect local areas and places further afield from issues like deforestation and animal extinction.
Again, it’s another type of project that your children could help manage as they get older and eventually take over as time goes on.
Live An Off-Grid Lifestyle
It’s a common fact that most people are entirely reliant on the world around them to provide for their energy, waste, and food needs. Today’s modern world is all about convenience, yet that comes at a substantial cost to the environment.
One practical way to become more self-sufficient and lead a sustainable life that your kids can also follow as they get older is by living an off-grid lifestyle.
What that means is generating your own power from solar, wind or water-based means, using a septic tank system and composting solutions for your waste, and growing fruit and vegetables in your garden.
Launch An Upcycling Business
One final idea if you’ve got an entrepreneurial spark you’re keen to embrace is starting an upcycling business.
For example, you could take old furniture that people don’t want and either refurbish them or turn them into different items that could be used elsewhere at home or work.
It’s a fun business model and one that has proven popular in recent years. Moreover, it’s a lasting legacy you could leave your children that promotes reuse while helping them to earn a living.
Conclusion
The suggestions above aren’t the only things you could do to leave a lasting legacy of sustainability for your kids. However, they are good starting points to inspire you and give you the ideas you need to get started.