Value of the Month
Each month visitors to this site will see a clear explanation and application of one of the 25 Values in the Cherished Values character program. The value appears just as it is in the cherished values text for high school students.
The Value for this month is taking care of the environment.
Taking care of the environment
Taking Care of the Environment
Nature never did betray the heart that loved her. ~William Wordsworth
Taking care of the planet has become very important to Americans. Now, with the prospect of climate change and predictions of its possible impact on life on earth, taking care of the planet is becoming an international priority.
Whether climate change is actually taking place and will have the effect on earth that some scientists predict, is still open to debate, but there should be no debating that this planet is our home and we should all share the responsibility of taking care of it. Earth does not belong to any of us but is shared by all of us. Those who came before us passed it on to us and we should pass it on to those who follow us as well as, or better than we found it. Unnecessary pollution, careless destruction of the vegetation, wanton and useless destruction of wildlife, are unacceptable, reckless, and dangerous to future generations.
We have not always honored our responsibility for the planet. In years past conservation was not nearly as popular as it is today, at least among Europeans. Native Americans, however, were keenly aware of their responsibility to the planet and their need to take care of it. It took centuries for the rest of us to share their concern for the environment. But lately, more inhabitants of the earth have gotten the message that we need to take more responsibility for taking care of the planet. Groups such as Green Peace, and observances such as “Earth Day,” remind us of the importance of taking care of the planet. Taking care of the earth should be viewed in the same way that one views taking care of his home; they both are his dwelling places.
The value of taking care of the planet is embraced more strongly by the young than by older Americans. I think that a greater awareness of the harm we were doing to our environment in the past has brought about a greater concern among our young people for its upkeep. It is natural that younger people would be more concerned about the upkeep of the planet since they are likely to have to live on it longer.
Character Application
Character in Daily Life
Character Application
If you shared a house with someone you would be expected to take responsibility for keeping the house clean and making it last as long as it could. If you didn’t fulfill your responsibilities you would soon be unwanted in that house. If you insisted on staying and not doing your part, you would probably be called a bad character, along
If you shared a house with someone you would be expected to take responsibility for keeping the house clean and making it last as long as it could. If you didn’t fulfill your responsibilities you would soon be unwanted in that house. If you insisted on staying and not doing your part, you would probably be called a bad character, along with some other names.
The earth is much bigger than a house, but it is still our home. The character of those who value the planet can be judged by how well they take care of it. We cannot be held accountable for the things we didn’t know, but now that we know how to take better care of the planet, and have some compelling (convincing) arguments of what will happen if we don’t, people of good character should take better care of this earth.
Those who came before us, to the best of their knowledge, kept the earth in good shape for us. We owe it to those who follow us to pass on to them an earth that is at least as good as it was when we inherited it. Civilized people take care of their dwelling places. Conserving, recycling, keeping your neighborhood clean, and encouraging others to do the same, are ways of taking care of the planet.
Today’s youth are brought up knowing the importance of the environment and have been constantly reminded of the need to take care of it, therefore, if you don’t do your part to preserve the planet that is definitely a show of bad character.
Rules to Live By
Character in Daily Life
Character Application
Rules to Live By
preserving the planet
1 Don’t litter.
2. Don’t pollute the air or water.
3. Respect animal life and habitation areas.
4. Don’t kill animals for sport.
5. Protect the rain forest.
6. Be responsible in the forest (don’t cause forest fires)
7. Don’t waste resources.
8. Don’t dispense chemicals into the environment (car motor oil e
Rules to Live By
preserving the planet
1 Don’t litter.
2. Don’t pollute the air or water.
3. Respect animal life and habitation areas.
4. Don’t kill animals for sport.
5. Protect the rain forest.
6. Be responsible in the forest (don’t cause forest fires)
7. Don’t waste resources.
8. Don’t dispense chemicals into the environment (car motor oil etc.)
9. Car pool when possible.
10. Don’t smoke in public places.
Character in Daily Life
Character in Daily Life
Character in Daily Life
Character in Daily Life
John changed the oil in his car and emptied the old oil on the grass beside his house. He had been told the proper method of disposing of oil but that would have been too much trouble. Furthermore, he thought, "what harm could five quarts of oil do?"
Is John displaying good character?
What would be good character beh
Character in Daily Life
John changed the oil in his car and emptied the old oil on the grass beside his house. He had been told the proper method of disposing of oil but that would have been too much trouble. Furthermore, he thought, "what harm could five quarts of oil do?"
Is John displaying good character?
What would be good character behavior in this situation?
How should one dispose of used oil responsibly?
The Cherished Values
- Life and Human Dignity
- Religion and Religious Freedom
- Country and Citizenship
- Personal Freedoms
- Respect for the Rights of Others
- Respect for Others’ Property
- Justice and Fair Play
- Motherhood
- Family
- Respect for the Elderly
- Taking Personal Responsibility
- Diligent and Honest Work
- Knowledge
- Contributing to Society (Philanthropy)
- Obeying the Rules
- Respect for Authority
- Taking Care of Our Environment
- Gratitude
- Humility
- Loyalty
- Compassion (Kindness)
- Worthy Accomplishments
- Honesty and Integrity in Speech and Deed
- Courage
- Virtue
The more of these values students embrace, the more successful they are in school and life in general.
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