Welcome to The Green Toolbelt’s “Green Peeps”, a commentary on characters real and fictional that are increasing awareness, promoting sustainability and making an impact on our planet.  Our first highlighted “peep” is a curry-colored, grandfatherly creature who “speaks for the trees, as the trees have no tongues.” You guessed it, The Lorax.  Dr. Seuss published this story in 1971, two centuries after the Industrial Revolution and amidst the Vietnam War.  I would imagine that “the view from where he sat was rather gray.”

Many have interpreted this hopeful story as a type of anti-capitalist, boo-hoo, humbug, finger-pointing cautionary tale.  I think that Seuss was trying to make conservation accessible to children. After all, it’s their planet  too, and what’s more relatable to a child than a fuzzy, wise, whiskered Lorax that talks to humming fish and singing fowl?

Having had the opportunity to read The Lorax for the first time in college, I saw the ending as a call to unite globally, take action and make a necessary effort while we can still be proactive, rather than reactive because…

“Unless someone like you cares an awful lot, nothing is going to get better.  It’s not.”

The Lorax in 3D is scheduled to release this March, just in time for Earth Month.  Field trip time!