Problem: Write an article based on this summary: Raise awareness. Join an environmental group. Contact your elected officials. Don’t be afraid to lead.

Answer: Talk to family and friends about simple changes they can make, and why they should do so to help protect the environment.  You don’t have to lecture or preach (but if that’s what works with your family, go for it); show them that you have thought a lot about the subject, are passionate about making a difference, and really could use their support.  Take advantage of all the new social media technologies that your parents can't keep up with.  It's easier now than ever before to connect with people all over the world.  Find out how environmental destruction impacts all of us everywhere, and discuss ways to stop it. You might want to mention the notion of “sustainable happiness,” which focuses in part on how interconnected we all truly are.  You parents will know how serious you are if they realize you’ve done research! There are numerous national organizations dedicated to protecting endangered species, cutting greenhouse gas emissions, preserving clean water supplies, and so on.  But there are also probably local environmental groups doing things like planting native trees or setting up hard-to-recycle pickups in your own neighborhood. Is there an environmental club at your school?  If not, round up some buddies who know the importance of the issue and start one.  You can do some good and make your college applications look a little better at the same time. No, you probably can’t vote for them yet, but most of them want to remain in office long after you’ve turned 18.  And they want your parents’ votes right now anyway.  Depending on their respective offices, ask them to support legislation to reduce carbon emissions or protect endangered species, or to back local measures like curbside recycling or plastic shopping bag fees.  Get in the habit of demanding action from your representatives when you are young and it will be easier to do so when you’re older. Regardless of what some adults may think, teens can have great ideas too.  When you have one, put your youthful energy to good use.   Your idea might be as straightforward as a neighborhood clean-up day, but go for it.  Pass out flyers.  Ask local businesses to donate supplies or refreshments.  Round up your buddy’s garage band and turn it into a block party at the end of the day. Teens like you have helped pass legislation banning electronic waste from landfills,  and created organizations that help schools run environmentally-friendly proms. Surely they had people tell them they were too young to make a difference.  But the earth’s future is your future.  So don’t be so quick to accept “can’t” or take “no” as an answer.


Problem: Write an article based on this summary: Recognize your embarrassment triggers. Recognize that it's OK to be embarrassed. Forget past mistakes. Avoid situations that you know will be embarrassing. Ask your friends for support.

Answer:
What types of situations are most embarrassing for you? Are you most embarrassed when you feel strangers are judging you, such as when you have to give a speech to a large audience? Or do you feel most embarrassed when those close to you see you do something awkward, like when food is stuck in your teeth or toilet paper on your feet?  Some people tend to experience the most embarrassment when people they know see them do something wrong. This feeling is closely related to shame.  Other triggers include other people saying or doing things that seem inappropriate (such as talking about sex or bodily functions around you).  Other times, embarrassment comes from general feelings of inadequacy. This might manifest as a fear of meeting new people, embarrassment about your appearance, or fear to speak up in class. Every person experiences embarrassment; it's part of being human! Just like making mistakes and learning from them, embarrassing situations can teach you a lot about who you are as a person and what you value. It can also teach you about areas where you want to grow as a person.  Being easily embarrassed is a personality trait, part of what makes you who you are. People who are easily embarrassed also tend to feel other emotions deeply, making them great empathizers and great friends. Be proud of who you are!  Ask your friends about embarrassing things that have happened to them. This will reassure you that everyone goes through embarrassing moments! It is easy to dwell on embarrassing things that have happened to you and imagine that other people think of those things when they see you. The truth is, most people have enough of their own insecurities to think about without worrying about your issues!  Occasionally, it's OK to relive past embarrassment, if only to put current embarrassing situations in perspective. After all, you lived through every past embarrassing thing you've ever done, so why should this one be any different?  Otherwise, be kind to yourself and allow yourself to forget and move on. What would you say to a good friend who was in your shoes? Remember to be a friend to yourself. Sometimes, recognizing the type of embarrassment you are most prone to can help you avoid situations where you are likely to encounter your trigger. If you must give a speech and public speaking is your trigger, try using a Powerpoint slideshow or other visual aid. This helps by subtly distracting people from staring at you as you talk. Also, practice until you are perfectly familiar with all of your material; this will make you more confident that you know your stuff. If you trust your family and friends to not take advantage of your insecurities by purposely embarrassing you, you can enlist them to help you avoid embarrassing situations. Let your friends know what issues are most embarrassing for you and ask them to help you avoid them.  If your friends tend to point out that your face is turning red, ask them to stop. Studies show that simply telling someone that their face is red will make their face turn redder!  Ask people you trust to stop teasing you about sensitive topics. For some people, the most embarrassing thing is when they are teased about an insecurity (like a physical attribute or someone they have a crush on). If someone really cares about you and learns that this issue bothers you, they will stop teasing you. If they don't stop, it might be time to find new friends.