April 22nd reminds us how precious our planet is! So far, it's the best planet I have ever known! Go to www.earthday.org to know more about this day and how you can take action. I leave you with a picture of this year's theme, and 'Without you', a 2011 song by David Guetta featuring Usher. This song has already been the soundtrack of this year's Earth Hour official video. I believe it is adequate for this venue, as well.
You might also like to take a look at Larry Ferlazzo's website in which you can find many resources to use in class to celebrate this day. Here you can take a look at a video about Earth Day's celebration which turns 40 years, as well as a historical timeline of Earth Day and Green Awareness. I also suggest his list of The best sites to introduce environmental issues into the classroom.
'Human beings are destroying the Planet and it is giving signs of that destruction: the ozone layer depletion, floods and droughts are some of the examples. Pollution is damaging the air, sea, rivers, and the land. That pollution is caused by chemicals, waste and harmful gases. Pollutants include toxic waste, pesticides, and fertelizers. Cars are one of the main causes of today’s pollution. The greenhouse effect is caused by harmful gases known as greenhouse gases. Acid rain causes damage to trees, rivers and buildings. Global warming may melt the ice in the North Pole and so the sea levels will rise in the South Pole, leading to serious flooding in many parts of the world. The ozone layer protects us from ultraviolet light from the sun, which can have a harmful effect on animals, and causes skin cancer if it is damaged. All over the world, wildlife is being threatened because habitats and woodlands are being destroyed. Rainforests are being cut down so that people can use the land to grow crops. Many species of animal have become extinct, and many more are endangered.
As a human being, I can do several things to reduce the environmental impact:
I can use public transports that are more environmentally friendly, because buses and trains carry a large number of people at the same time.
Recycling is also an alternative instead of throwing something away. Glass, cans, paper, and plastic can all be recycled.
At home people should use renewable energy sources such as wind power; wave power and solar power that don’t pollute the environment. They are much cleather than oil and coal. Moreover we can help the environment by choosing to buy green products. Examples of green products are recycled paper, wood from sustainable sources, and organic fruit and vegetables.
I can encourage my schoolmates to be environmentally friendly.
Think globally, act locally! Our everyday actions will help preserve the world´s environment. Actions which are simple and quick; yet actions that will make an effective and positive contribution to the environment. We are part of the planet, so we should protect it, not destroy it.'
Two resources to use in 11th form classes when lecturing the topic 'Our World'. The first is THIS amazing video by David Attenborough. Sir David Attenborough is Britain's best-known natural history film-maker. His career as a naturalist and broadcaster has spanned nearly five decades and there are very few places on the globe that he has not visited. Over the last 25 years he has established himself as the world's leading natural history programme maker with several landmark BBC series, including: Life on Earth (1979), The Living Planet(1984), The Trials of Life (1990), The Private Life of Plants(1995), The Life of Birds (1998), The Life of Mammals (2002) and Life in the Undergrowth (2005). 'The final chapter in the Life series, Life in Cold Blood is surely a grand finale to David’s survey of life on Earth.'
The second video is about the Himalayas and it is also an interesting resource for the topic 'The Multicultural World'. The Himalayas are the greatest mountain range on Earth. The vast sweep of peaks runs for 2,400 km (1,500 miles) crossing or abutting five countries, and separating the Indian subcontinent from the Tibetan Plateau. The chain is also home to the planet’s highest peaks, including Mount Everest. Their name translates from Sanskrit as “abode of the snow”, a name that seems appropriate for the largest body of snow and the highest concentration of glaciers outside of the polar regions. But these peaks are not just a magnificent spectacle. They have profoundly shaped the cultures of South Asia and hold the gift of life for billions of people. Their giant size influences weather patterns throughout the region, whilst melt water from the peaks feed the great rivers of Asia, including the Indus, the Ganges, and the Tsangpo-Brahmaputra. This water – and the sediments they hold – form the backbone of agriculture of the whole region. In this film environmental economist Pavan Sukhdev, veteran wildlife cameraman Doug Allan and ecological economist Dr Trista Pattersonreveal the natural beauty and diversity of the Himalayas, as well as the hidden contribution they make to life on the Planet. Source:BBC Future - The Himalayas, Water Towers of Asia
We only have one planet. You can help protect it. Participate in the world’s largest single campaign for the planet: Earth Hour. It starts by turning off your lights for an hour at 8:30 pm on March 31, 2012 in a collective display of commitment to a better future for the planet. Think what can be achieved when we all come together for a common cause.
