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Teens Turning Green

Teens Turning Green (TTG) is a national movement of youth transforming the world by investigating and eliminating toxic exposures in daily lives, schools and communities, advocating for change in policy and habits to protect our health, and educating peers and the community about greener alternatives.

Description:
TTG targets students 6-12 grade nationally to encourage a commitment to the preservation of their health and well being through environmental awareness and activism in their schools and communities. Our goal is to inform teens about an all-encompassing eco-lifestyle and educate about toxic chemical exposures. Through in-school curricular peer to peer education, national outreach events, powerful legislative advocacy in state capitols and educational forums, we have engaged thousands of teens, teachers and community members and activated them protecting their right to health. We encourage taking the precautionary steps to reduce the burden on our bodies and lessen the global impact, and advocate for the elimination of chemical exposures in our daily lives.

History:
In 2002 it was revealed that Marin County breast cancer rates had risen an alarming 60% in eight years. When asked what was being done, the response was there wasn’t enough funding to do the necessary studies. Shortly thereafter, Judi Shils formed the Marin Cancer Project (currently known as Search for the Cause a 501 (c)3, to explore potential causes, seek answers and work to eliminate them. Knowing that environmental toxins are one of the leading causes of disease, cancer, birth defects, asthma, and reproductive harm. She worked to help inform citizens how to reduce exposure in their own lives, knowing that if we rally together for change, change is possible.

Inspired by a group of teens who wanted to examine the toxic exposures in their lives that might potentially contribute to cancer and other health related concerns, Teens for Safe Cosmetics (now known as Teens Turning Green) was founded as a program of Search for the Cause. The teens began organizing, growing in sheer numbers around this issue, to educate others about the potential harmful exposures and have since become a powerful force for change. The campaign expanded from coast to coast and now new chapters are springing up rapidly. Through educating their peers and the greater community they have made a difference in many people’s lives and have been instrumental in influencing chemical policy change.

Teens Turning Green: Schools programing was launched in the Spring of 2008 harnessing the inquisitive nature of teens to investigate their schools and find the greener alternatives available to replace toxic products and practices.

Contact people:

Judi Shils, Executive Director, (phone), (email) Lisa Wertheim, Assistant Director, (phone), (email) Sue Waiss, Office Manager, (phone), (email)

Main office number: (415) 289-1001
Office fax number: (415) 289-1012

Address:

2330 Marinship Way, Ste. 150 Sausalito, CA 94965 (See a map)

Web Site: http://www.teensturninggreen.org

Directions:

Hwy. 101, exit Sausalito exit. Donahue to Bridgeway Blvd. Head toward downtown Sausalito. Left on West Harbor Drive. (see Fed Ex Kinkos and Molly Stones on left). Quick right onto Marinship way. Office building on left.

Last updated on January 25, 2010