ENVIRONMENT

Earth Day 2013
Every year on April 22, more than a billion people take part in Earth Day. According to the Earth Day Network, “Across the globe, individuals, communities, organizations, and governments acknowledge the amazing planet we call home and take action to protect it.”

Join our Google Hangout to see how explorers are marking Earth Day! The theme for Earth Day 2013 is The Face of Climate Change.

Discussion Ideas:

• Read our activity, Introduction to Earth Day, which introduces the history of Earth Day through an article. The activity explains that Earth Day encourages people to support conservation efforts through individual and collective actions.
  • Can students think of some individual actions they can take to help protect and conserve the Earth?
    • Read through “Zipper’s Green Tips” from National Geographic Kids for suggestions.
      • recycle cans, bottles, batteries, paper
        • find a recycling center near you!
      • reuse—borrow books, movies, and games instead of buying them
        • find a local library!
      • reduce—use less stuff
        • eat less packaged food, so there’s less to throw away
        • buy toys that last
      • plant a tree
        • learn how to plant a tree!
      • compost your garden and kitchen waste
        • learn how to compost!
      • give a hoot, don’t pollute
        • learn more about Woodsy Owl and keeping the environment clean
        • dispose of trash and recyclables in the appropriate bins
        • never put trash in a storm drain
      • spread the word
        • read a good book—recommended by National Geographic Staff!
        • Keep America Beautiful—participate in a clean-up day!
        • “adopt” an endangered animal through a nonprofit organization such as the World Wildlife Fund, Defenders of Wildlife, or the Hawaii Wildlife Fund
        • make sure all faucets, sinks, and drains in your house do not leak or drip
        • make sure your home is insulated so heating and air-conditioning aren’t wasted
  • Can students think of some collective actions that may support the conservation goals of Earth Day?
    • Read our encyclopedic entry on Earth Day to understand the core goals of the Earth Day Network:
      • Broaden the Meaning of Environment to include issues such as climate change, green schools and environmental curricula, green jobs, and renewable energy;
      • Promote Civic Engagement and Mobilize Communities by working with partner organizations to provide opportunities for all citizens to become active in the environmental movement;
      • Implement Environment Education Programs such as the National Civic Education Project, which works with students to solve local environmental problems;
      • Inspire College Students to Become Environmental Leaders through campus outreach campaigns that seek to strengthen the environmental community in colleges and universities around the world;
      • Bring Clean Water and Sanitation to the World by helping individuals, organizations, or businesses to fund rural water projects through the Global Water Network.
• The United Nations proclaimed April 22 “International Mother Earth Day” in 2009. Can students think of some international issues that the UN may focus on during International Mother Earth Day?
  • climate change. The theme of 2013 Earth Day is Faces of Climate Change, which the UN acknowledges ecosystems from the tropics to the Arctic.
  • pollution. As more nations industrialize, more toxic waste is created. Such waste pollutes freshwater ecosystems, the ocean, the atmosphere, and the Earth itself.
  • development. As more nations industrialize, more ecosystems (such as rain forests, wetlands, or prairies) are destroyed to make way for housing, agriculture, factories, hospitals, schools, and businesses.
  • health. Healthy environments make it easier to work toward healthy communities.