What is the best way to get children involved in environmental projects? SustainLane and the Earth Day organization are proving that animation can get them very interested. Kijani is an 800-pound visionary gorilla that left the Congo to live in a magical San Francisco greenhouse. He joined up with four kids from around the world to create a sustainable earth. Kijani means green in Swahili, but the kids call him “KJ”.
“Gorilla in the Greenhouse” is an action-filled animated web site (www.greengorilla.com). It was released on Earth Day, April 22, 2008. 
The pilot episode (“The Great Pacific Garbage Patch”) features the Greenhouse Gang uncovering an island of plastic bags in the Pacific. This adventure inspires the gang to start taking actions towards a healthier environment. The web site is very creative and uses music to motivate other children to join in their cause.
More episodes are currently under production. The web site says they will continue to explore energy efficiency, sustainable food consumption, global warming, deforestation, and renewables as part of the musical adventures of the Greenhouse Gang.
The website includes introductions to each of the characters as well as a section on “Gorilla Activities”—small steps the Greenhouse Gang are taking to improve the environment and which are aimed at stimulating kids to do them on their own. This site includes activities such as: “Rejuice the Use of Everything You’ve Got!” to help students invent creative ways to use things they normally throw away; and “Make Some Sounds Downtown!” to encourage them to give environmental suggestions to their City Council.
“A gorilla in the room” is a phrase people often use to indicate an unseen, ominous presence that no one wants to talk about openly. “The Gorilla in the Greenhouse” is anything but ominous….it is an environmental inspiration for kids!
TracySBK said,
October 24, 2008 @ 4:49 pm
Hi Cassie,
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