Dear Educators:

My children are going to be victims of the ecological negligence of past generations, and I want to learn as much as possible now to limit their losses, to salvage some semblance of the environment that nurtured me and my parents.

Please add my name to those demanding smarter, more urgent instruction in environmental problem-solving at the high school and college level. It’s these young adults—people like me—who are left with the responsibility of actually “saving the environment.” The buck stops with us. The children are too young to save themselves. The no-nonsense environmental education of my generation of tomorrow’s leaders must begin now.

The Way Out

The only realistic solution to encroaching ecological ruin is enlightened “green” consumers and tuned-in environmental entrepreneurs. Teach consumers how to “make markets” for better alternatives to polluting technologies, products, services, processes and practices and business will have no recourse but to give the market what it demands. Teach business how to recognize the profit potential in legitimate environmental solutions and capitalism will work its magic. Turn the marketplace into a champion of environmental preservation and the problem can be reined in.

But we have to be taught how to do this. I appeal to thoughtful educators everywhere to adopt coursework that will save today’s children—and those I may bear–from a destiny they do not deserve and are not prepared for.

Sincerely,