Last week when I wrote, Get Them When They Are Young, over at Cleaner Greener China I was not planning a follow up post.

However, this morning while walking to work I was reminded of just how important environmental education is, how important it is to teach environmental education, and just how far China has to go. Perhaps one of the most interesting cultural/ fashion statements there is in china, many infants (up to age of 3) will don a set of pants that are split down the middle.  the purpose is simple.. to make doing to the bathroom easier.  No matter where one happens to be.

• Middle of the sidewalk.  Ok
• Middle of the subway platform.  Ok
• Middle of the road.  Ok
• Public park.  Ok
• Apartment Lobby.  Ok
• In front of car.  Ok
• Side of car.  Ok
• From back of bike.  Ok
• While mom holds your legs.  Preferable
• While Grandma holds your legs. Sure
• Dad holds your legs.  odd??

Initially, it was one of those things that you look on with a mix of curiousity and a mix of repulsion.  I once even asked a teacher about this practice, and was given a look that made me think I was asking the dumbest question ever.  Of course babies are allowed to poo and pee on the street… “their poos are special!” However, what I think is important to point out here is that while it may be quick, easy, and convenient for mom, these children are actually learning their first lesson in environmental protection… and I am not talking about compost. As my flatmate in Beijing so appropriatly said “If you teach a kid that they can crap on the street, you have taught them they can do anything they want”. If you think about it, the lesson learned is the ultimate lesson in selfishness.. that it is ok to expect people to walk through my wii (and more).  That one does not need to hold it until the next public toiley… that anywhere it is physically possible to squat IS A TOILET. With that as a foundation, China’s children are supposed to learn not to litter, not to dump chemicals in rivers, to conserve energy, and to think of the impact that one has on the environment… and how that will impact others.