Thousands of future citizens have chosen to avoid the path of cynicism and apathy to walk towards greener horizons.

It's World Environment Day this month! And around the world young persons (bless them) are preparing to live more environmentally friendly lives by recycling waste, campaigning to save wildlife, uniting to clean up streets, being kind to animals, learning about nature and, generally, proving that together we can change the world for the better.

Thousands of future citizens have chosen to avoid the path of cynicism and apathy to walk towards greener horizons. By listing just 10 things they plan on doing, I hope adults will be motivated to "do the right thing" themselves.

1. Teenagers have decided not to waste electricity. They know that it is the wasteful use of electricity that gives rise to the demand for destructive dams. When they leave rooms even for short periods of time they will switch off fans and lights.

2. Teenagers have decided not to waste water. They know that hands can be washed even under a trickle of water and they do not therefore allow a torrent to be wasted by keeping taps fully open. They NEVER leave the tap on when brushing teeth and insist that taps are turned OFF when clothes or dishes are being washed.

Photo: Sanctuary Photolibrary

3. Teenagers are organising car pools and are increasingly taking the bus to school to save petrol and also to reduce noise pollution outside their schools. They know what adults seem to find so difficult to understand - that instead of building scores of flyovers, cars would move twice as fast in our cities as they do today if only adults agreed to invest money in mass public transport.

4. Teenagers say they are happy to walk short distances, provided footpaths are safe and zebra crossings are respected by motorists. They realise, of course, that the elderly find it difficult to walk on hot and polluted streets. That is why they ask that footpaths be made wider and tree-lined, that benches and drinking water fountains be conveniently placed every 100 metres or so.

5. Teenagers say they will not spit in public places, nor will they litter. In fact, kids say they have magic eyes and very often they pick up after adults who litter. They believe in the dictum that "if a lot of us do a little a lot can get done."

6. Teenagers understand that clean living is healthy living. They are asking their parents to avoid using household pesticides and to use cleanliness as a way to reduce pests. They are also suggesting that family diets include more fresh foods, rather than the junk foods (and wasteful packaging) that some companies want to force down Indian throats.

7. Teenagers will show compassion for all other living things. They are learning that cruelty destroys ones own soul and that there are invariably better options than to hurt or harm helpless animals.

8. Teenagers understand the strength in numbers. They are uniting to support groups working for a better world. They are participating in rallies and environmental fests and are encouraging their friends to do the same.

Photo: Sanctuary Photolibrary

9. Teenagers will be setting personal examples. They know that they can't do everything, so they are making choices. Some will reduce the use of plastics, others will avoid the use of firecrackers, some are volunteering time for environmental groups and almost all teenagers are helping to keep the city clean.

10. Teenagers are making their voices heard against climate change. This could be the greatest threat to our planet, but if we work together now to reverse the worst impacts of climate change we still have a chance of saving not only ourselves, but all the creatures with whom we share our planet. By taking any or all of the above steps, Teenagers have already demonstrated their intent to work for a better world. They will hopefully inspire those around them through positive actions, involving events, writing letters to newspapers and by supporting local environment movements.

I work with teachers who work with teenagers and they say that the adults could learn a thing or two from them. I fully agree. If you are a teacher or parent who wants help to run environmental programmes in a school, or just want to be environmentally inspired by teenagers, log on to www.sanctuaryasia.com. Happy World Environment Day!