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Teen Develops Eco-Partnership

AFTER SEEING THE SMOG IN BEIJING FIRST-HAND DURING A FAMILY TRIP TO CHINA, HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT ANDREW LEONARD TOOK ACTION.  MEET A YOUNG ECO-ACTIVIST ON THIS ENVIRONMINUTE.

LEONARD HELPED STUDENTS AT HIS CALIFORNIA SCHOOL AND IN BEIJING DEVELOP A JOINT ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICE PROJECT.  THE AMERICANS REMOVED INVASIVE SPECIES FROM A PRESERVE, WHILE THE CHINESE PLANTED TREES IN A PARK.  THEN THEY SHARED THEIR EXPERIENCES WITH EACH OTHER BY POSTING VIDEOS ONLINE.

LEONARD: THEY WERE EXTREMELY EXCITED ABOUT IT.  I REMEMBER THEM SAYING, “I WAS JUST EXPECTING A NORMAL LITTLE FIELD TRIP, BUT THIS TURNED OUT (EDIT) TO BE A LIFE-CHANGING EXPERIENCE.”

LEONARD HOPES THE PROJECT’S SUCCESS WILL INSPIRE THE STUDENTS AND THE PUBLIC TO CREATE THEIR OWN ECO-INITIATIVES.

LEONARD: TRY AND GET PEOPLE TOGETHER, FIND AN AREA THAT HAS A PROBLEM AND NEEDS A SOLUTION – ANYTHING - A PARK, YOUR SCHOOL’S GARDEN, ANYTHING LIKE THAT.

THE ENVIRONMINUTE IS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE HEINZ FAMILY PHILANTHROPIES AND THE HEINZ ENDOWMENTS.  LEARN MORE BY VISITING ENVIRONMINUTE-DOT-COM.        

To find ways that you can take action to help the environment, visit http://www.globalresponse.org/

For simple ways you can help the environment, visit http://www.panda.org/how_you_can_help/at_home/

To read more about this and other environmental health issues, go to: www.environmentalhealthnews.org, www.ourstolenfuture.org, or www.healthandenvironment.org