I have to admit, I’m having a bit of green burnout these past couple of weeks (if you couldn’t already tell from my lack of postings). Aside from my internet being down right smack in the middle of Earth Week, I’ve just felt my topics to be a bit repetitive lately. Also, all of a sudden every PR firm from NY to LA is sending me emails about this green product and that green event, whether it pertains to kids or not. So, needless to say, it’s been a bit hectic. When I finally started to get out from under the mass emails, I opened one with the subject “something a bit different”. As a skeptic, I skimmed it. Then I read it again. And, voila, here I am writing about it. What is it, you’re wondering? What could have possibly gotten my tired fingers typing again?

See this very tall, very in-shape woman? Her name is Colleen Smith - she’s a six foot six inch, professional volleyball player who has taken the initiative to help kids learn about climate change and going green. I love what Colleen is doing for two reasons - one, she’s using her celebrity to promote green initiatives; but she’s also inspiring kids to be active and get their bodies moving. She uses her height for education by wearing a temporary tattoo of a wave at her one meter mark (right at her bathing suit), to start a conversation with kids about rising sea levels due to global warming, and engages them about being proactive about helping the Earth. And what kid wouldn’t want to talk to someone who is probably the tallest person they’ve ever met? Colleen is also working on making changes at volleyball tournaments, such as sponsoring recycling bins and replacing paper cups for players with more responsible ones.

For your other sports enthusiasts, here’s a great article about more sports celebs doing good for the planet. Thanks to Steve Crandall for your email about Colleen - and for getting me back to the keyboard!