Give kids the tools to deal with environmental challenges | READER COMMENTARY

If we want to effectively combat climate change, one of the most important steps is empowering and educating young leaders. As a child of a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency employee, the influences I was exposed to at a young age caused protecting Mother Earth to be a central value in my life. If we want to instill similar values in future generations, we need to provide an environmental and sustainability focused foundation for young generations to build on (“Maryland Gov. Wes Moore issues executive order calling for environmental literacy,” April 22).

Time in nature is just good for kids! Positive health impacts include reducing cortisol levels, relieving anxiety and depression and improving cognition allowing for better concentration and working memory.

This executive order by Gov. Wes Moore is an important step forward. Let’s give Maryland youth the knowledge, experiences and opportunities to help them find their place and lead the way in the worldwide shift towards environmental sustainability and collaboration.

— Lauren R. Brown, Silver Spring

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