This week, we wanted to take some time to highlight how individual actions of environmental literacy can play a major role in the fight against climate change.
There is a common misconception that fighting climate change is too big an issue to be solved by one person. This view can often provide hesitancy from teachers to discuss climate change as an important factor in their environmental education programs. As stated in A Blueprint for Environmental Literacy (2015),
“An environmentally literate person has the capacity to act individually and with others to support ecologically sound, economically prosperous, and equitable communities for present and future generations.”
– A Blueprint for Environmental Literacy (2015)
Check out this week’s article to get started on your green living journey and start putting environmental literacy into action! Read the Article
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Relevant Links
4AIR is an aviation sustainability company assisting stakeholders in private aviation implement meaningful sustainability programs that meet and exceed industry commitments. 4AIR assists with environmental regulatory compliance and sources independent review to assure compliance with voluntary and regulatory commitments.
5 Climate Action Chores for Kids | The Climate Reality Project Blog
While many kids may not be fully equipped to truly tackle the science and stakes of the climate crisis until they’re a bit older, you can lay a strong foundation for future learning and action by engaging your child in some age-appropriate activities that will instill a sense of environmental responsibility that they will carry with them into adulthood.
Established in 2007 and headquartered in London, UK, Climate Action establishes and builds partnerships between business, government, and public bodies to accelerate international sustainable development and advance the ‘green economy’.
The Climate Reality Project has the mission to create a global sense of urgency on climate change and catalyze a planet-wide shift to clean energy to solve it. Founded and chaired by Nobel Laureate and former U.S. Vice President Al Gore, they share the truth of climate disruption with communities around the world and empower people everywhere with the knowledge and tools to help create a sustainable future.
ENERGY STAR® is the government-backed symbol for energy efficiency, providing simple, credible, and unbiased information that consumers and businesses rely on to make well-informed decisions. Thousands of industrial, commercial, utility, state, and local organizations—including nearly 40% of the Fortune 500®—partner with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to deliver cost-saving energy efficiency solutions that protect the climate while improving air quality and protecting public health.
SunPower designs all-in-one residential and commercial solar and storage solutions backed by personal customer service and the industry’s most comprehensive warranty.
TerraCycle is Eliminating the Idea of Waste®. They develop ways to make things that are typically non-recyclable nationally recyclable. In their research, they have found that few things are beyond recycling, and have found solutions for chewing gum, cigarette butts, and even dirty diapers. They integrate recycled materials into new products, such as working with some of the world’s biggest brands to turn ocean plastic into shampoo bottles. Or toothpaste tubes into playgrounds. They create platforms that move consumers from disposable, single-use packaging to durable, reusable packaging without sacrificing the economics and convenience that make disposable products desirable.
Terrapass is dedicated to the fight against climate change. Their mission is to provide the resources necessary for companies and individuals to understand and take responsibility for their climate impact through offsetting carbon emissions.
Tesla’s mission is to accelerate the world’s transition to sustainable energy through increasingly affordable electric vehicles in addition to renewable energy generation and storage. To achieve a sustainable energy future, Tesla also created infinitely scalable energy products: Powerwall, Powerpack, and Solar Roof. As the world’s only vertically integrated energy company, Tesla continues to innovate, scale, and reduce the costs of commercial and grid-scale systems, with the goal of ultimately getting us to 100% renewable energy grids.
News and Events
AEOE Statewide Conference 2021
May 14 – 15, 2021, Online
The spring statewide conference is Association for Environmental & Outdoor Education’s (AEOE) signature event. The annual statewide conference brings together several hundred environmental and outdoor education professionals from across California to participate in professional learning workshops, breakout sessions, entertainment, and networking opportunities.
Children Thrive Outside
May 11, 2021, National Wildlife Federation
New America and the National Wildlife Federation are teaming up for a webinar on May 11 that will examine why investing in and supporting quality outdoor learning in early care and education should be a priority and explore how to make it a reality for all young children.
Making Environmental Education Authentic and Locally Relevant
May 15, 2021, Scientific Adventures for Girls
Learn how to set up a series of lessons where students take opposing roles and defend their position while debating the pros/cons of an environmental proposal.
Virtual Open House – Climate Change Essentials for All Educators
May 20, 2021, Presidio Graduate School
Climate Change Essentials for All Educators is a facilitated, nine-week virtual course from Presidio Graduate School designed to equip K-12 teachers with the tools to incorporate climate change education into their current curriculum—regardless of the subject area, grade level, or state standards.
Is Biden’s New Emissions Reduction Target Good Enough?
Apr. 27, 2021, Earth.org
The US aims to achieve an emissions reduction target of 50-52% from 2005 levels in net greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. This is the new national goal declared by President Joe Biden.
NOAA’s New Climate Normals Show the U.S. Has Never Been Hotter
May 04, 2021, Gizmodo
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration want us to know it’s not the 1980s anymore. On Tuesday, it announced new 30-year averages for temperature and precipitation. Unsurprisingly, the “new normal” is hotter.
RUSD earns eight of 18 Green Ribbon Awards from the California Department of Education
May 05, 2021, IECN
Three years running! Morris Elementary School earned California Green Ribbon Schools Gold Level recognition for the third straight year when the awards were announced on April 22, 2021.
How Rap Duo EARTHGANG Is Educating Kids On Land Conservation & Inner-City Gardens
May 05, 2021, Atmos
The environmentally-conscious Atlanta rap duo are expanding their sustainability efforts beyond music and giving back to the Southwest Atlanta community.
Climate Change: Everything You Need to Know
May 05, 2021, EcoWatch
Climate change is actually not a new phenomenon. Scientists have been studying the connection between human activity and the effect on the climate since the 1800s, although it took until the 1950s to find evidence suggesting a link.
Greening California Starts With Motor Vehicles
May 06, 2021, Sierra
No other state stood up to Donald Trump as much and as often as California. The nation’s wealthiest and most populous state sued Trump and his administration 110 times.
The government has pledged over $800m to fight natural disasters. It could be revolutionary — if done right
May 06, 2021, The Conversation
To help Australia adapt to climate change and manage the disasters that come with it, the federal government this week pledged A$600 million towards establishing the National Recovery and Resilience Agency and $210 million for the Australian Climate Service initiative.
