Happy Earth Day!

[Connie Weber]

Would you be willing to share a sentence or two about what is most on your mind about the future of Earth? What questions come up in your family discussions, in class? What items in the news most strike a chord in your heart? What issues hold prominence as you think of the earth we're leaving for future generations?

I'm not asking for a coverage of all the issues--there are so many--just the ones that stand out to you as something you personally hope we can focus our collective energies on and influence in a positive way. Something that's really important to you, personally.

Again--not so much a debate as a "what's on your mind." Just a list, generated by community members, a way of seeing what's on our minds.

That can be our way of recognizing Earth Day, sharing our heart-felt hopes and questions. (If you have time to ask your students, please do, and please share what they say.)

[Len DeAngelis]

The responsibility of earth as an entity deserves to be considered on the same basis as the UN where there is a leader elected by the participants (all nations over a designated number of people) have one representative. Those representatives chair committees within their countries composed of a member from each region (state, for example, or however a country is divided). The first order of business ought to be devising rules of order and a strategic plan. That ought to take a decade!
Peace,
len

[Janet Navarro]

Thanks Connie. Happy Earth Day to all.

On my mind at a household level is, pulling plugs, reducing consumption of paper products, and composting. I mean, I am trying to pull out charger cords from the wall outlets when we are not charging something, trying to unplug the coffee pot when not in use, etc., trying to use more scrap paper and things and trying not to use my disposal. We already buy biodegradable soaps and shampoos and have for a long time.....
In the State of Michigan, I am very concerned about water and keeping it clean and safe and close to home. No diverting of the great lakes to the middle west, etc,., keeping it in the ground, thus, I am concerned about and don't buy bottled water. Keeping it free of new invasive species. And, I think we should stop accepting landfill garbage from Canada.

I am concerned about and think about how our economic failures the enviornment are linked together and I think deeply and often about the role of consumption. I have long taught my boys about the evils of consumption and over consumption....yet I live in the US where consumption is a way of life -- goods are cheap -- power sources plentiful --

We have been downsizing this year as a family project.

Well--that's off the top of my head....unedited...and off to work I go.

Oh -- and I have been accepting more papers from my students on my course 'ning' to reduce paper consumption -- yet wondering about the tradeoffs with so many people using their computers more.... don't know the statistics on that one.

j
On a national level, I am concerned

[Ed Hitchcock]

I am both encouraged and discouraged about the future of our world. I am encouraged by advances in technology, but discouraged by the debates over superficial issues around global warming and our reliance on fossil fuels. I am encouraged by the foresight of some, and discouraged by the shortsightedness of others.
I came across this article yesterday:
http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg20227041.300-green-and-mean-t...
Which sums up the dilemma of the environmental impact of clean energy.

[Rose]

What concerns me the most about the future of the Earth is what do our kids think about the entire situation? Are they thinking that we need to change our ways for future generations or are they thinking, 'someone else will take care of it, it won't happen in my lifetime'. I'm sure it's a combination, but how can we get to a point where we can all be on the same page that it's important for everyone to help make a better future all the time, not just on Earth Day? I'm worried that without immediate results, kids (and some adults too) will give up and push it off to others. Of course, I don't have an answer, but that is the biggest concern I have.

[Linda]

Rose, I could not agree more. Listening to kids after school today I got the impression that many felt "well, here is the homework for the day. I will list some things that sound good, ask a few people what they do, fill in these blanks and then go on about my way." I walked through the library today and found scraps of paper cut from the center of an otherwise perfectly good piece of paper, plastic water bottles in the trash, and careless wastefullness at every turn. The kids seem to think that if they picked up one wrapper on the playground today it is perfectly fine to toss out three or four more later on.

Educators need to go beyond a few planted ideas and help the kids brainstorm ideas and then implement them. Let's empower the kids so that they can feel that they can and do make a difference.

[Leigh Newton]

For me, a large concern is that we're not doing enough to replant the forests that have been destroyed. What models are we providing for our children in giving them a sense of 'agency' in affecting the situation?

I fear that nations and individuals will only act for good when it's in their immediate financial interest.

[Barb Grabbe]

I actually discussed this with my class of second graders this morning and these are some of THEIR eplies:
"Sometimes when I am having a lot of fun at recess and playing hard I don't want to stop and pick up a piece of trash, but I do it anyway!"
"When I was at the Moon Bounce (during spring break) I picked up some popsicle sticks that kids left layin around."
"We do composting at my house - for the garden."
"My brother likes to read comics and my Mom recycles them."
"When I get home from school, all the lights are off at our house."
"I am going to use more cntainers in my lunch."
We all agreed that it might be better to bring a reusable water bottle or thermos with milk rather than buying milk - which is something a LOT of kids do at our school. That would save a lot of milk cartons being used - even if recycled.
Everyone agreed they could turn off a few more lights.
For me personally, downsiing ha been in the works for awhile - smaller residence, smaller cars...just bought a Honda Civic..wish the hybrids were cheaper - but I'm counting on it for the future...I also can turn the water off when cleaning up my kitchen - my worst habit!!! I let it run!!! Today I will make a most concerted effort.
For the future - I have 2 20 something daughters...I hope to just keep sharing the GREEN theme and continuing our discussions - keeping them alert to the issues and aware (which they are - even more than I) will help I think - just as it does as an educator - to keep these ideas fresh in the minds of kids. It can only get better with raised awareness and education.
My daughter bikes everywhere - even to work at the Opera House - in Copenhagen, Denmark where BIKES are the main mode of transportation - I love that Obama is thinking about rapid transit here in the U.S. Well, as I sit here in my classroom typing away, my automatic shut-off lights just went out! I will do my part by not being annoyed!!:)
Thanks for this share.

[Linda]

My biggest concern on Earth Day is probably how easy it is to put it on the back burner these days. People (alas, often myself included) have so many things to worry about that it is easy to forget that every action of every human has some impact on the earth. Yes, I try my darnedest to reduce my consumption, along with reusing and recycling, but I kick myself for not getting on a soap box more often. It seems often the best I can do is preach to the choir and get ignored by others. As you say, Connie, there is much to think about on this topic.

Now I think I will save some energy by getting off the computer. The amount energy wasted and air polluted by computer use really should be a concern of us all.

[Roxann Rose]

I just read an article about TerraCycle - a company that aims to save the Earth and make money at the same time. I am intrigued by what this company is doing. For example, schools can save candy wrappers and get paid 2 cents for each wrapper and then the wrappers are made into reusable shopping bags. There are other waste products that can be saved as well. Reading about TerraCycle would be great to do with students - showing them how creative we can be with doing positive things for planet Earth!

[samccoy]

I remember the first Earth Day, and all the excitement surrounding it. I was thrilled, as I was raised by a family who lived closer to the Earth than most. This day is codified now, yet it may still be possible to raise people's expectations, hopes and desires.

[Lenny Dale]

I am heartened by the growing awareness of the need to 'right the wrongs done to Mother Earth'. Still, I know that that awareness must spread more and more quickly, and become nearly universal, in order for us to catch up. I am inspired by people like my daughter Anya, voted 'most likely to save the world' by her high school graduating class, and now an environmental planner, who has dedicated her life to the cause. I myself feel as though I do my own little part, I 'reduce, reuse, recycle', 'use it up, wear it out, do with less, or do without', and try to set an example to the students and community of my school. There is, of course, more I could do. But it often feels like a losing battle, as I see the waste, the carelessness, the selfishness evident everywhere around me. It is often said that the USA doesn't truly respond to a problem until it has reached crisis proportions - I wonder if a tipping point will be reached before enough of a response has been made to this problem, and it will be beyond the capabilities of mankind to repair the damage even just enough to survive.

[Renee Durrant]

Earth Day makes me think of my Father who was a tree-hugger back in the 70's. We built a cedar solar home out in the country with a heat pump and state of the art insulation. We even won an award from Detroit Edison for the energy efficiency of our home. However, we had to keep our tree-hugger attitudes to ourselves - my Dad feared his employer would frown on an executive who is a bit hippie-ish. These days, being green should be second nature to our youngsters, but that isn't always the case. How do we teach the parents to teach the children to reduce, reuse, and recycle? Everyone needs to set a good example for our children, and everyone needs to think about the impact their actions have on the earth. BTW: I planted 22 trees on my property over the weekend with my 5 year old daughter--how rewarding.