Albuquerque City Council Votes Unanimously to Pass Leave No Child Inside Resolution

The Albuquerque City Council voted last night to support the Leave No Child Inside Coalition of New Mexico. The City of Albuquerque joins Bernalillo County and Santa Fe County in supporting this measure.

The resolution is in response to an increasing problem that fewer and fewer children spend time outdoors connecting with nature, according to a statement released by the Sierra Club. This 'Nature Deficit Disorder' has a profound impact on the health of today’s children. American youth spend 50 percent less time outside than kids did 20 years ago. The typical American child spends, on average, 40 hours per week “plugged in” -- the equivalent of a full-time job. At the same time, one third of America’s children are overweight and at risk for developing chronic illnesses like diabetes. In fact, the rate of diabetes among children increased 40 percent in New Mexico from 1990 to 2000.

“The Leave No Child Inside Coalition brings together nearly 150 organizations and individuals in New Mexico who are concerned that today’s children may be the first generation to lead shorter and less healthy lives than their parents,” said Kristina Ortez de Jones, the Southwest Representative for Building Bridges to the Outdoors, Sierra Club’s National Youth program. “The City of Albuquerque is a leader in the movement to get children outdoors and more connected with nature. Their support of this resolution shows their desire to fight Nature Deficit Disorder.”

About Sierra Club: The Sierra Club's individuals and supporters are more than 1.3 million of your companions and neighbors. Roused by nature, we cooperate to secure our groups and the planet. The Club is America's most established, biggest and most compelling grassroots natural association. Our main goal is to investigate, appreciate and secure the planet.