We should encourage questions, and not worry if we don’t know all of the answers

Never underestimate the power of the child to make a difference. When we look through the eyes of a child, we see the world in a whole new way. When we think about looking after the planet for our children, and our children’s children, we do so with renewed determination.


I first felt the difference children can make when becoming a father, and am enjoying those feelings all over again now we have three beautiful grandchildren with us. 

Dr Sylvia Earle got me thinking about this when I listened to her talk about how we need to protect the ocean. She simply said: “We can’t care if we don’t know. Galileo was smart, but he didn’t know what a 10-year-old can learn from the Internet nowadays.”


“Every scientist starts out as a little kid asking questions. Parents must avoid saying ‘don’t touch that’, ‘don’t pick up that’. Let your child bring in creatures from the outside. Let them get wet, let them get muddy. No child should be left dry!"

It is up to all of us to ensure that our children are inquisitive, knowledgeable and full of wonder. We should encourage questions, and not worry if we don’t know all of the answers. Every child should know about the beautiful, fragile planet we all call home, and have an innate urge to support it from a young age. That way, they will have a better chance of protecting Earth for their own children, and their children’s children.