The Green Parent October/November: The Learning Special
by Sami Grover, Carrboro, NC, USA on 09.30.07
Back in June we wrote about UK-based The Green Parent magazine and its intriguing sounding article on The Diary of a Pregnant Man, and our recent post about Ebay’s decision to ban the sale of used diapers was also prompted by a story in the magazine’s October/November issue. But diaper-related controversies are not the only interesting subject covered by this wide-ranging publication. Also included in the same issue are a series of informative articles on schooling options, from alternative schools, to the global Eco-schools program, to home schooling options, as well as some great resource guides for environmentally and socially conscious back-to-school supplies. It doesn’t end there though, the magazine also covers the subject of co-sleeping, provides advice on everything from hiking with children to sourcing organic baby clothes, and also finds time to look at green homes, sustainable gardening, the rebirth of traditional apple varieties, and even to review the best of the UK’s apple juice and cider makers [NB – cider in the UK refers to alcoholic cider, so those ones are definitely for the parent, not the child!].
The Green Parent really does seem to be growing in both scope and popularity, and we wish it well. Unfortunately, little, if any, of the current issue is available online at their home page, though there are numerous resources and forums to get you started, and a copy of the magazine or a subscription can be ordered here. For more advice on green parenting, why not also check out our guides on How to Green Your Baby, and How to Green Your Kids’ Toys? ::The Green Parent:: via review copy::
I dont understand how paper magazines can be considered "green" . If I'm going to subscribe its going to be for web content that emulates a magazine.
I just feel I need to clarify that The Green Parent is printed on recycled paper and uses vegetable based inks and is also available as a digital magazine as well, (see Exact Editions.) It would be great if everyone subscribed to digital magazines but paper media still seems to be very popular and is a great way to communicate green issues. For new parents who may not be treehuggers like we are I think it is important to have a magazine that is positive for the planet and not full of greenwash, giving people a choice at the newsstand.
Jez (Art Director)
I think it's great and completely appropriate that the issue focuses on alternative/eco/home schooling. The whole process of going to school can be environmentally-unfriendly on so many levels -- from packed lunches to "busy work" worksheets to peer-pressure induced consumerism. Thanks for posting this!
For folks in the U.S., might I also suggest a similar website also called The Green Parent (although the 2 are not affiliated) at http://www.thegreenparent.com
Also, let's remember that unless you're running your computer on wind or home-generated energy, and on a computer that contains no gold, silver, copper or mercury, surfing the net isn't completely green, either. Few things are. The magazine is a good start for parents who need to be reminded that we are trying to save this planet for our kids, their kids and beyond.