Schools' Newsletter November 2011
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Transcript of Schools' Newsletter November 2011
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Embracing the Change November 2011 / Issue 2
In this issue:
My School :: My Planet :: My Dictionary – the story told once more
It's pumpkin time
International Day of Tolerance
Cooperation is the key
Read ―THINK GREEN!‖, a book empowering kids to save the planet
My School :: My Planet :: My Dictionary – the story told once more
You probably hear a lot of talking lately about issues like climate change, global
warming, sustainability, the carbon footprint, etc. You will also be hearing some from us, as
we try to promote alternatives to more environmentally friendly activities.
This is why we wanted to start from the beginning and give you some brief definitions
of all these notions, and explain how they relate, in case you had any queries.
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Global warming
When scientists talk about global climate change, they're talking about the global
climate and a pattern of change that's happening over many years. One of the most important
trends that scientists look at is the average temperature of the Earth, which has been
increasing for many years. This is called global warming.
The Earth is getting warmer because people are adding heat-trapping gases to the
atmosphere, mainly by burning fossil fuels. These gases are called greenhouse gases. Warmer
temperatures are causing other changes around the world, such as melting glaciers and
stronger storms.
These changes are happening because the Earth's air, water, and land are all linked to
the climate. The Earth's climate has changed before, but this time is different. People are
causing these changes, which are bigger and happening faster than any climate changes that
modern society has ever seen before.
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Rising global temperatures lead to other changes around the world, such as stronger
hurricanes, melting glaciers, and the loss of wildlife habitats. That's because the Earth's air,
water, and land are all related to one another and to the climate. This means a change in one
place can lead to other changes somewhere else. For example, when air temperatures rise,
the oceans absorb more heat from the atmosphere and become warmer. Warmer oceans, in
turn, can cause stronger storms.
Climate change
More than 100 years ago, people around the world started burning large amounts of
coal, oil, and natural gas to power their homes, factories, and vehicles. Today, most of the
world relies on these fossil fuels for their energy needs. Burning fossil fuels releases carbon
dioxide, a heat-trapping gas, into the atmosphere, which is the main reason why the climate is
changing.
Heat-trapping gases are also called greenhouse gases. They exist naturally in the
atmosphere, where they help keep the Earth warm enough for plants and animals to live. But
people are adding extra greenhouse gases to the atmosphere. These extra gases are causing
the Earth to get warmer, setting off all sorts of other changes around the world—on land, in
the oceans, and in the atmosphere. And these changes affect people, plants, and animals in
many ways.
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Carbon footprint
Carbon is an element that's found all over the world and in every living thing. Oxygen
is another element that's in the air we breathe. When carbon and oxygen bond together,
they form a colourless, odourless gas called carbon dioxide, which is a heat-trapping
greenhouse gas. Whenever we burn fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas—whether it's
to drive our cars, use electricity, or make products—we are producing carbon dioxide.
The atmosphere isn't the only part of the Earth that has carbon. The oceans store
large amounts of carbon, and so do plants, soil, and deposits of coal, oil, and natural gas deep
underground. Carbon naturally moves from one part of the Earth to another through the
carbon cycle. But right now, by burning fossil fuels, people are adding carbon to the
atmosphere (in the form of carbon dioxide) faster than natural processes can remove it.
That's why the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is increasing, which is causing
global climate change.
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Carbon dioxide is the most important greenhouse gas emitted by humans, but several
other gases contribute to climate change, too. Nevertheless, people chose the term "carbon
footprint" to refer to the impact of an individual or business on the environment in terms of
the amount of greenhouse gases produced. Even though some countries produce more
greenhouse gases than others, emissions from every country contribute to the problem.
That's one reason why climate change requires global action.
Find out more: http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/kids/
Sustainability
There are various definitions and debates to the definition of sustainability among
leaders in the field. In general they all have to do with the concept of living within our limits,
understanding the interconnections among economies, society, and the environment and
providing equitable distribution of resources and opportunities.
The most common definition is: ―Sustainable development is development that meets
the needs of the present without compromising the needs of future generations to meet
their own needs.‖ —Brundtland (1987).
However, the best way to understand this concept is to look at some of the
explanations given by children themselves, when asked what sustainability means to them.
Here are a few examples:
Taking care of the planet and its creatures.
Sharing what we have with others and not taking more than our share.
Thinking about what you need rather than taking what you want.
One thing leads to another, then another. Let’s make the chain good.
Sustainability is not just cleaning up your own room – it’s about keeping tidy an even bigger
room that belongs to everyone!
Can you think of a better definition? Share it with us at [email protected].
Find out more: http://www.googolpower.com/content/free-learning-resources/environmental-
education/definitions-of-sustainability-for-children
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Have a class discussion about all these terms, the importance of understanding them
and the way in which they connect to each other.
_______________________
Photos’ sources:
Warmingglobal.org
Sustainablechristchurch.org.nz
Sciencephoto.com
Porena.blogspot.com
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It's pumpkin time
We all know pumpkins: big or small, orange, brown or green, round or funny-shaped, they are a
common sight, especially in November. But did you know that besides the joy of carving them
up into scary faces they also provide lots of health benefits? Here are some of them:
Pumpkin is one of the vegetables which is very low on calories, but is rich a source of
dietary fibre, anti-oxidants flavonoides, vitamins (A, B-complex, C and E) and minerals
like copper, calcium, potassium and phosphorus.
Pumpkin seeds are good source of dietary fiber and mono-unsaturated fatty acids which
are good for heart health. In addition, they are very good in protein, minerals and many
health benefiting vitamins.
Read more on: http://www.nutrition-and-you.com/pumpkin.html
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Does this start up your appetite for some pumpkin treat? Here is a delicious (and easy-to-
make) recipe for pumpkin soup.
The Simple Pumpkin Soup
Ingredients
1/2 cup onion, 3 tbsp. butter, 2 cups mashed cooked pumpkin, 1 tsp. salt, 1 tbsp. sugar, 1/4
tsp. nutmeg, 1/4 tsp. ground pepper, 3 cups chicken broth, 1/2 cup cream.
Preparation
Chop the onions and gently brown with butter in a pan. Put the mashed pumpkin together with
the onions in the pan. Add the salt, sugar, nutmeg and pepper. Slowly add chicken broth and
heat thoroughly, but do not boil. To serve, pour into a tureen and add the cream. Makes 4 to
6 small servings. Bon appetit!
You can find the recipe at: www.mom-mom.com/simple_pumpkin_soup.htm
So, what is your favourite pumpkin activity? Tell us how you enjoy pumpkin time in your
country or community. Send us photos, stories or recipes at [email protected].
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Save the date: 16th November, the International Day for Tolerance
This date was chosen by the UN in 1996 to bring into the spotlight the commitment to
advance human welfare, freedom and progress everywhere, as well as to encourage tolerance,
respect, dialogue and cooperation among different cultures, civilizations and people.
Try to organize some activities (open talks, debates, forums) in your school to mark
this day. Although not directly linked with environment and nature, tolerance is the key to
peace and stability, which make the perfect ground for thinking about the really important
issues that we have to cope with, like climate change or achieving a sustainable way of living.
Read more at: http://www.un.org/en/events/toleranceday/
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Cooperation is the key
The United Nations has declared 2012 as the International Year of Cooperatives,
highlighting the contribution of cooperatives to socio-economic development. Nektarina also
supports this and for the next year we will try to focus some of our activities on promoting
cooperation at local and regional level.
With this in mind, in the next issues of the newsletter we will go through a list of
entities that schools can associate with for projects and describe more in depth how these
partnerships can help you enhance your activity. Here are some of them in brief.
Other schools: from the city, the region, the country or even the whole world
Peers are always a good way to share experiences, not to mention to have a nice, fun
competition about greening and sustainability. Try partnering with other schools for projects
and you will certainly have a lot to learn, especially if they are from a different region or
country.
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Municipality / city council
Municipalities are sometimes harder to get into the game, but it is worth trying. Not only will
they provide a trustworthy patronage umbrella that will look appealing to other sponsors, but
they can also help with more ―technical‖issues, like providing counselling or even financial
means for solar panels, for example.
Ministry of Education
A partnership with MoE can offer the same advantages as municipalities, but sometimes even
more. Their resources in terms of venues for instance are usually quite good and they can
also ―open a lot of doors‖.
Local or national NGOs
NGOs are definitely a good solution for partnerships: they are always looking for projects
and what they lack is what schools have most: volunteer workforce. This way, students will
not only learn about environment and sustainability, but also about what it means to be a
volunteer.
Companies
Already seeing the dollar sign? Yes, companies have money, an important resource for a
project. With the CSR work increasing chances are you can make partners with a company
easier. But there are other benefits as well in a company: instead of money they can help out
with products, like environmentally friendly light bulbs.
Media representatives
A youth magazine, a radio station, even the local newspaper can be valuable partners. They
can help you advertise your green work, which will increase your visibility and ultimately the
chance for more projects.
Culture centres, libraries, museums, exhibition halls, art galleries, etc
These are all interesting partners mostly because they can provide excellent venues for
events like presentations, screenings, exhibitions, etc. Being public institutions they are open
to everyone, so your work is likely to be seen by more people.
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Suppliers
Suppliers can also become partners if you manage to negotiate a good deal. For example if
your waste collection company agrees to provide separative waste bins for your school to
start recycling or if your cafeteria supplier agrees to bring only organic milk. Explore the
possibilities.
National Parks or Reserves
Nothing like a trip in the nature, huh? What if you had also a specialised guide that can tell
you everything you want to know about the area? Partnerships with these institutions are a
great way to get involved: tree planting, waste collection, bicycle tours, etc.
Transport companies
Raising awareness about greener transport can be tackled by partnering with a transport
company. This way the students will learn that public transport is less harmful than having
your own car and maybe you can also snatch a deal for reduced costs in your trips.
Farms
If you have nearby farms around the schools it may be a good idea to make partners. They
can provide you fresh, locally produced food, while kids could cultivate their own veggie
garden and learn how to grow them.
We are working on setting up an open database of the schools we work with, so that you can
interact and see each other’s activities. In the meantime, you can write to us and share your
ideas and local practices: [email protected].
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A book and/or a movie: get inspired every month
We have made such a mess of this Planet with our overconsumption, wasteful habits,
and lack of respect for the environment. In rectifying this situation, we must teach our young
to be good stewards of the Earth so they don’t make the same mistakes we’ve made.
―THINK GREEN!‖, a new children’s book created by Jeanine Behr Getz, is a wonderful
tool to teach our children how simple actions can ensure that the Planet remains safe for all
creations that inhabit it. Throughout the book Millicent and her friends illustrate greener
choices that reduces their impact on our world.
Many of the choices are easy ―no brainer‖ concepts that if instilled young enough, they
will become routine in our children’s lives. For example, in the book Freddy turns off the TV
and lights when he leaves his room. How many of you constantly heard from your parents
growing up, ―we don’t own the electric company‖ to urge us to turn off the lights? I still say
this today to my own children since it was instilled in me as a young child.
To make the book appealing to children and adults alike, she teamed up with Jenny
Nightingale to illustrate this book to engage her young readers with bright, vivid pictures.
Take a glimpse of some of the colourful pages.
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Although the book is geared to children ages 3 through 7, the lessons learned from
the book are not limited to children. Thinking greener is ageless and adults are never too old
to learn new tricks. Teaching by example is the easiest way for our children to learn.
In writing this book, Getz realized that it too would have impact on the Earth. Just
think how much paper, water and chemicals are used to publish books. Everything we do has
impact even for a positive cause. To limit the book’s impact, it was published from paper made
out of 100% recycled fibre and 50% post consumer waste, and was processed without
chlorine. Soy-based ink was used to print the book. In addition, the electricity used to
manufacture the books was offset by Green-e certified renewal energy certificates. The
back cover of the book illustrates how the methods used to print the book saved a specific
amount of natural resources.
So, for a child’s next birthday present, holiday gift, or ―just because‖ gift, treat that
special child in your life to this terrific book. You can buy it here:
http://www.kidsthinkbig.com/buy_now
_____________________
Photos’ sources:
Mariquita.com
Blog.freefatvegan.com
Genderthoughts.wordpress.com
Mindblog.dericbownds.net
Kidsthinkbig.com
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INTERESTED IN MORE RESOURCES AND GREAT STORIES?
Subscribe to our Daily Blog http://nektarinadailyblog.tumblr.com/ , it is a great resource of
information and ideas, and a great tool for learning more about the nature and environment.
Visit also our web page http://www.nektarinanonprofit.comfor more resources and ideas.
We invite you to also join our social network pages:
www.myplanetand.me
Facebook.com/nektarinanonprofit
Twitter.com/nektarina
Email: [email protected]
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My School :: My Planet newsletter is issued monthly by Nektarina Non Profit. Created by
Elena Livia Minca (content), Ayesha Garret (design) and Sandra Antonovic (editor).
Contact: [email protected]