Climate change and the current state of our environment may seem like issues that are bigger than we can tackle, but that isn't stopping a young generation of eco-warriors in making a difference. These children are happy to be active participants in addressing both present and future environmental issues - just take one look at 16-year-old Greta Thunberg's mammoth effect and the thousands of children who have followed in her footsteps to strike against climate change for proof.
Regardless of their age, this young generation of trailblazers have one united goal in mind: save the planet and reduce their carbon footprint. How are they going about doing this? They're recycling, they're boycotting the production of non-reusable products, they're opting to become vegan, they're travelling more responsibly, and they're walking out of school classes to make a bold statement about our responsibility to the planet.
Tree Staunton, psychotherapist and spokesperson for the UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP), told Grazia: 'The younger generation have always been criticised when they don’t conform and play the part that older people expect of them. We say they are going "off track" and we pressurise them to "fit in" to society – get a job, a promising career and set themselves on a path to success. But we have been remarkably slow to grasp that rather than trying to change the younger generation, it is our culture that needs to change.
'What the younger generation have been saying is that there is something very wrong and indeed unsustainable about our way of life. They are telling us that there will be no future for them if we continue on this path, that we need to change - and fast. And they are not only telling us, they are leading the way by the changes they are making in their lifestyles. The tide is beginning to turn, as young peoples’ voices are becoming louder and their actions stronger,' she added.
Staunton's observations ring true, especially for the latest generation of babies and children, who may even have the tiniest carbon footprint of all. Nowadays, from birth we're seeing more and more families opt to use sustainable baby products, as well as educate youngsters on the importance of being eco-friendly. Household favourite Huggies is one brand who are helping parents make an immediate difference. They have just announced plans to wipe out plastic in their baby wipes within the next five year period. Today, their soft baby wipes contain up to 50% less plastic than other leading brands, meaning that a household's plastic usage will be reduced by the equivalent of 63 plastic bottles a year.
As well as working with universities and NGOs to develop fully plastic-free wipes, next year, Huggies will introduce recyclable packaging. It’s all part of Huggies’ Tiniest Footprint™ mission, which commits to providing gentle skincare for babies while leaving the smallest environmental impact possible. See, just like this new trailblazing generation of eco-warriors, we can all take baby steps to save the planet.
We can all take baby steps to help the planet. For more information visit huggieswipes.co.uk and follow @HuggiesUK on Instagram.