Green Team's Big Mission with Jack & Addy
Book Synopsis
This is a story following Jack and Addy, who are best friends, as they learn how the choices they make everyday can help protect the Earth. After seeing food waste, litter, and overuse of resources, they become Earth Explorers.
They learn simple habits such as being mindful of what they are eating, composting, reusing items, saving energy, and caring for animals. As they share what they have learned with friends and family, Jack and Addy realize that small actions, when they do them together, can make a big difference.
This can inspire young readers to care for the planet one choice at a time.
Why a Children's book?
We intentionally chose to incorporate a children’s book into our strategy because we believe in ‘starting at the root" to foster lifelong healthy habits. Behavioral science suggests that habits formed in early childhood are much more resilient than those attempted later in life. By teaching children about "Zombie Items" in the fridge or how to distinguish between "Best By" and "Use By" dates, we can instill a sense of food stewardship before wasteful habits become ingrained. This approach addresses the "Inclusion Problem" identified in our research: unlike adult-focused activism that can sometimes feel judgmental or overwhelming, a children’s book uses storytelling to make sustainability inclusive, exciting, and accessible.
Furthermore, targeting a younger audience creates a unique "reverse-education" effect within the home. Children often act as the primary catalysts for household change, encouraging parents to adopt the sustainable practices they learn about in school or through reading. By using a narrative medium, we can transform complex data into "Invisible Education," where the lessons are buried within an engaging story. Our goal is to shift the cultural narrative from "If in doubt, throw it out" to a proactive, data-driven curiosity that begins in the nursery and extends to the kitchen.
Make a Difference
Consider donating to one of these three organizations below to make a real difference and help nurture our Earth into good health
World Wildlife Fund (WWF)
Works worldwide to protect ecosystems, reduce environmental threats, and build a sustainable future for people and nature.
The Nature Conservancy
Focuses on conserving lands and waters globally while advancing climate solutions and sustainable community development.
Feeding America
The largest hunger‑relief organization in the U.S., rescuing surplus food and redistributing it to reduce waste and fight food insecurity.
Here are Two Sample Pages in the Book:
UN Sustainability Initiative
Our Purpose
The Green Team is dedicated to educating and inspiring individuals to adopt eco-friendly practices. We share valuable insights, initiatives, and resources that promote sustainability.
Our project is deeply rooted in UN Sustainable Development Goal #12: Responsible Consumption and Production. Specifically, we are targeting Target 12.8, which focuses on ensuring that individuals globally have the information and awareness necessary for sustainable lifestyles. This initiative is critical because food waste is not just an environmental issue; it is a staggering economic and humanitarian crisis.
According to research from Rescuing Leftover Cuisine, 1 in 8 Americans experience food insecurity, yet the U.S. wastes roughly 40% of the food it produces, amounting to approximately $200 billion worth of food that is never eaten. By focusing on education and awareness, we aim to bridge the gap between the abundance of produced food and the scarcity experienced by millions. The financial burden of this waste falls directly on the shoulders of the average citizen. Data from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reveals that each U.S. consumer loses approximately $728 per year due to food waste. This "economic leak" is particularly significant in 2026, as inflation continues to pressure household grocery budgets.
Our research highlights that while 61% of global consumers care about climate change, economic pressure remains the primary deterrent to sustainable living. Therefore, our initiative isn't just about "saving the planet",it’s a practical tool for "recessional resilience," helping families recover lost income by optimizing their internal household inventory.
Bibliography
“Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production.” United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, United
Nations, https://sdgs.un.org/goals/goal12 . Accessed 6 Feb. 2026.
“Responsible Consumption and Production.” The Global Goals, United Nations, https://globalgoals.org/goals/12-responsible-consumption-and-production/ . Accessed 6 Feb. 2026.
“United States 2030 Food Loss and Waste Reduction Goal.” United States Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, https://www.epa.gov/sustainable-management-food/united-states-2030-food-loss-and-waste-reduction-goal. Accessed 6 Feb. 2026.
“International Efforts on Wasted Food Recovery.” United States Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, https://www.epa.gov/international-cooperation/international-efforts-wasted-food-recovery. Accessed 6 Feb. 2026.
“Food Waste in America.” Rescuing Leftover Cuisine, https://www.rescuingleftovercuisine.org/challenge. Accessed 6 Feb. 2026.
“Estimating the Cost of Food Waste to American Consumers.” United States Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, https://www.epa.gov/land-research/estimating-cost-food-waste-american-consumers. Accessed 6 Feb. 2026.
“Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production.” The Sustainable Development Goals Report 2024, United Nations Statistics Division, https://unstats.un.org/sdgs/report/2024/Goal-12/ . Accessed 6 Feb. 2026.