Thoreau, economy inspires students to learn lessons of less

Colby Vargas recently read a Chicago Tribune article about Mundelein High School students who participated in a Voluntary Simplicity experiment.

"More than a dozen students at the north suburban high school this year committed to going without something different each month, borrowing a page from author Henry David Thoreau, who famously withdrew to Walden Pond for two years "to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what [nature] had to teach."

Last fall when high school students joined the experiment, it was mostly because they wanted to help the environment. Now with the economy tanking, students are finding out about the economic implications as well.

National Women's History Month

In 2009, the National Women's History Project honors women who have taken the lead in the environmental or “green” movement. Rachel Carson, the founder of the contemporary environmental movement, serves as the iconic model of the theme, which recognizes scientists, engineers, business leaders, writers, filmmakers, conservationists, teachers, community organizers, religious or workplace leaders, or others whose lives show exceptional vision and leadership to save the planet. See the list of women honorees and resources: http://nwhp.org/whm/honorees.php