Do you know about an environmental problem that is not being taken care of? Have you ever wanted to do something about it? Well, you can. Here’s how.

1) Learn about the problem.

Take time to be sure you have the right information. If you can’t find out what you need to know on your own, find a friend, a teacher, one of your parents, a brother or a sister to help you along the way. Be sure to find out who you need to talk to in your community or school to get action taken.

2) Get a friend or friends involved.

Get a group of friends together and tell them what you have learned. Get them involved. Divide up the work. Get together often. Decide together how you are going to take care of the problem.

3) Set up a meeting to talk with others (including adults) about the problem.

Invite other students, teachers, parents, other adults, local officials. Write down what you want to say and what you want to have happen at the end of the meeting. Call people to make sure they know what will be happening. Before the meeting begins, tell people why you think the problem has to be solved, ask for help in finding ways to solve it. Get people to volunteer to help.Have a sign up sheet for jobs to do. Plan the next meeting. Be sure to set dates for things to be finished. Make sure you know who to talk to. Get adults to help too, so that you have some extra support!

4) Do any needed follow up investigation.

This could include getting prices for getting the problem fixed (you might need the help of an adult to do this, depending on the problem.) Find out who approves money being spent. Figure out ways that having the problem solved will help out.

5) Form a coalition.

A coalition is a group of people and organizations working together to get something done. To get the job done, you have to think about who you are trying to influence and how to get them behind your project. Plan how you will talk to these people. Make sure you keep in touch with people who say they are going to help, and that they really do help.

6) Tell everyone what is happening and how much progress you are making.

If roadblocks appear, work to get them out of the way. Let people help you take care of them.

7) Be patient. Be persistent. Be positive.

8) Follow up. Make sure everything gets done.

9) Celebrate when you get the problem fixed.

Pick your next environmental good deed!