Sesame Street Paints the Town GREEN in New DVD Release

Whether it’s the birds and the bees or an imminent global disaster, it can be challenging to explain things to a child. But with the help of Elmo and the Sesame Street gang, learning what it means to live sustainably is a little more straightforward.

The folks who brought us Sesame Street for the past few decades released “Sesame Street: Being Green” on DVD in accord with Earth Day last week. The goal is to bring a better knowledge of what it means to be green and sustainable to children who have yet to get set in their ways. Sesame Street is hoping that an early start to green education can help bolster future generations from falling into the easier, earth-damaging, fossil fuel path that has delivered us into this predicament in the first place.

The program, which runs about 45 minutes in length, stars Elmo and Abby Cadabby with the help of Mr. Earth, played by Paul Rudd in a comically oversized Earth costume. The story revolves around an “Earth-a-thon” on Sesame Street that is being led by Mr. Earth.

Elmo and Abby Cadabby hang around to understand their personal roles in sustaining this great big blue marble, and attempt to impress upon the youths watching that by turning water faucets off, taking shorter showers, and wasting less in general, we can all make a huge difference, especially if we all work together towards the goal of ultimate sustainability. Abby and Elmo get so into the proceedings that at one point Abby turns Elmo from his natural red, into a lean, green, energy saving machine, although she is unable to remember how to turn him back. (You’ll have to tune in to see how that one ends.)

The DVD is great for introducing youngsters into the wonderful world of sustainability, however there is one note of caution. Each DVD is individually wrapped in not only the usual plastic, but in a separate, unnecessary cardboard sleeve. The sleeve holds no purpose, and only serves to confuse the message, but getting the conversation started is half the battle. I suggest borrowing the film from a friend when they have finished, or holding joint viewing sessions for a few children at once to cut down on the waste of materials. Nonetheless, you’re children’s best fictional friends may be saving the planet, one street at a time. -Adam Eisman(greenandsave)