Lilly in China for Hands Across the Ocean
Lilly Tougas, a young girl from Florida, has done extraordinary things to educate her community about going green. She is a great example of how one small person can make a big impact. Last year Lilly was invited to travel to China during the Beijing olympics to paint a mural with the artist Wyland and with children from all around the world. The goal of the mural was to raise awareness about taking care of our oceans. I was lucky enough to get an interview with Lilly to ask her about her quest to go green.
How old were you when you learned about what it means to “go green?”
When I was 3 at my Montessori school, I would sing a song ”the Earth is our Mother, we must take care of her” and I took it very seriously. When I was 6, my Mom and I read a book called “Hold Your Water” by Wyland and Steve Creech. At the end, I took a pledge, like a check off list of things and learned a lot about what to do.
How did it make you feel to find out that people were hurting the planet through our everyday actions?
It hurt me really deep.
What was one of the first ideas you had to go green?
Well, at first, it was just turning off lights and water when brushing my teeth, then I would leave messages on the answering machine telling people about doing that.
What are a few things that you do to save the planet everyday?
Turn off lights,T.V., and water, recycle and take my friends trash home with me to make sure that it gets recycled. I also tell people every day how important it is to do these things. We are Mother Natures eyes and when we see what is wrong we need to help.
Is there something you wish you could do to help the earth, but don’t know how?
Yes, I was hoping to get the use of plastic bags banned in my town, I wrote a letter and nothing happened, I feel sad when I see them as trash all around town, and I feel really really sad when I see a picture of a Sea Turtle who tried to eat one.
Which of your going green projects are you most proud of?
Hand’s across the Ocean in China, my idea of having a Lemonade stand to purchase reusable grocery bags to hand out to people who need them, bringing recycling bins to school, writing a note to Congress with pictures of plastic bags stuck in trees and in pastures with cows. I guess I am most proud of all of them and it is a long list.
What was it like to travel to China for “Hands Across The Ocean” at the Olympics?
It was amazing to join hands with other kids around the world and pledge to care for the worlds oceans together. Not to mention painting with Wyland, he is such an inspiration, I hope we do something at the Olympics in Canada.
Lilly working a booth for Earth Rehab to raise money for the Wyland Foundation
