Saving the Environment, One Child at a Time
This single incident so long ago has continued to shape my belief about how people should treat the environment. When people ask me what kind of future I want for our state, I envision a future in which there are thousands of 3-year-old children enlightening their parents about what is, or is not good, for the environment. I want to see not only us adults, but our children taking leadership roles in combating environmental degradation, no matter how small a role they play.
One evening many years ago, while I was cleaning up my kitchen, my 3-year-old yelled at me for using the garbage disposer. She continued yelling until I turned off the appliance because, she said, the disposer was hurting the planet. At first, this idea made no sense to me. But then she told me how she had learned in her pre-school that putting things down the garbage disposer is harmful to our waste systems. As she explained the general concept to me, I began to understand the complexity of the issue. Disposing of food waste down the kitchen sink is not something I had ever considered an environmental issue (in fact, I thought it was a better option than tossing scraps into the garbage and sending them to the landfill)—yet, my young daughter educated me. She has been our family’s environmental champion ever since.
This single incident so long ago has continued to shape my belief about how people should treat the environment. When people ask me what kind of future I want for our state, I envision a future in which there are thousands of 3-year-old children enlightening their parents about what is, or is not good, for the environment. I want to see not only us adults, but our children taking leadership roles in combatting environmental degradation, no matter how small a role they play.
In running for this seat, I aim to be the leader that my community and my district (SD-20) need in Tallahassee. I am a leader, a mother, and a fighter. I will be a leader in the fight against harmful environmental practices and policies in Florida. From mitigating climate change to reducing our excessive use of plastic bags, we can work together to achieve positive environmental changes that will benefit Florida’s citizens—and our vacationing guests—for generations to come. I will be a leader in championing environmental education in our schools. These are not just some far-off ambitions or hopeful aspirations; rather they are real, attainable goals that we can fight for and win.
Florida is well-known for its flora and fauna. Visitors travel from around the world to Florida see alligators in the Florida Everglades, manatees in our beautiful springs, and to enjoy our pristine beaches and warm ocean waters. Our economy depends on the vitality and health of Florida’s ecosystem to support tourism and myriad small businesses in my district and across the state.
I will honor our children and the great state of Florida that they will inherit. I want to see children, their parents, and their grandparents doing more to help keep the environment safe and sustainable for every future generation. I am running for State Senate District 20 to ensure that our environment, our families, and businesses that depend on Florida’s ecosystem continue not only to survive but thrive.
Democrat Kathy Lewis is a candidate for Florida Senate District 20.