“You really got my Green Conscience going!”

by Franke James

“I now want to make a difference just like you.”

When I was in school, one of my favorite activities was hearing Guest Speakers talk about their work and their careers. But what made the biggest impact on me was realizing that they were just flesh and blood. They were “human.” Seeing them in person was inspiring because it made me think — “If they can do it, I can do it.”

On April 27th, I spoke to the students in Grades 3 and 6 at St. Clement’s School (a private girls’ school in Toronto). I read them some of my stories about taking action for the environment, and asked the girls, “What’s the hardest thing you could do for the planet? Is it changing a light bulb? Or is there something more ambitious you could do that would make a difference in your life?”

My call-to-action for the girls was “Listen to your Green Conscience” and then “Do something green and tell everyone about it — using stories, songs and pictures.”

Strong Symbols Tell a Story
Did my message sink in? See for yourself… Below is the handmade “thank you” gift I received from the Grade 6 class. It’s a 4″ square book of drawings and hand-lettered type. The girls’ artwork communicates their messages simply and powerfully using colorful symbols (what I try to do in my own artwork). Their praise is wonderful and effusive — but what is really exciting is to hear the girls talk about their green conscience and their desire to do something more ambitious than changing light bulbs — and thus make a difference for the planet.

Because after all — if I can do it — they can do it — and so can you!

The ‘Thank You’ Book by Gr.6’s at St Clement’s

Now it’s YOUR turn. What’s the hardest thing you could do for the planet?

Do something green that is ambitious for you — and then tell everyone what you did. Send them an email, a photo, phone them — do whatever you want to document your green gift to the planet.

It only takes one person to inspire a chain reaction. Let me know what happens…

Credits: Drawings copyright the Grade Six girls at St. Clement’s School.
Photo of Franke James by Gustavo Escobedo, SCS
Project coordination and book assembly by Rosa Abbiento, Art teacher at St. Clement’s School