Human Footprint

National Geographic Channel

April 13, 9 a.m. ET/PT.

This is an environmental impact statement on a grand scale. Just in time for Earth Day, ABC's Elizabeth Vargas does a monumental "follow"?charting the consumption of one American from cradle to grave. A staggering list of consumables is catalogued for a typical U.S. lifetime (77 years, 9 months), from gasoline to coffee, food, diapers, even toothbrushes. And yes, it all ends up in the landfills, another site on this eco-tour. The special also tells us how to consume differently, and how to make a smaller footprint.

Find ideas and activities at www.ngchumanfootprint.com and at www.preserveourplanet.com.

KIDSNET, partnering with educators and the media for more than 25 years, provided these viewing suggestions. Visit www.kidsnet.org.