I’m a big fan of animation – you’ll find me choosing a cartoon over a show or movie with humans in it any day. Though I’m not certain where this distinct interest comes from, it probably has something to do with all those cartoons I watched with my dad when I was a kid, but I digress. Teaching children through cartoons is as old as the media itself. You’ve likely already heard of The Unsustainables from SustainLane.com, but there is a new set of characters on the web as of today: The Greens.

Just two days into the 2007 TED Conference, this new online animation for kids has been launched from the same program TED used to fund WorldChanging.com. Ed Burtynsky, infamous modern “landscape” photographer, came up with the idea for The Greens and teamed up with the folks at TED to make it all happen.

This broadband project comes from WGBH in Boston, the producer of TV shows like ZOOM, ARTHUR, & FETCH as well as Frontline, Antiques Roadshow & NOVA. But THE GREENS is not on TV. Kids can watch THE GREENS’ comedy cartoon adventures online and then find related games, news, downloads, a blog, action tips, links, and much more.

If that wasn’t enough credibility for this non-profit program to stand on, the Director of Education for Earthwatch Institute is the official Project Advisor, making sure all the info is accurate and educational. The Unsustainables is a cute show, but there is more than enough room for another eco-conscious cartoon to premiere on the web. I’m very much looking forward to future episodes of The Greens and I recommended that everyone check it out (whether you are a kid or not).

As 2007 rolls out we’re going to jump into a whole bunch of weird adventures. Each will launch us into ideas about green living and suggest action that YOU can take to make a difference. We’re starting later this month with FASHION.

Now THAT’S my kind of cartoon.