Earth Day: We need to make a difference!

Home

Chat

Blogs

Collection

Directory

Home : 2006 : April : 21

Earth Day: We need to make a difference!
By Moe

For years I have incorporated environmental issues into my 2nd grade curriculum. We discuss recycling, saving electricity, not littering.....

Yet, this spring we took our children on a trip to the Gulf Coast, and
I found myself appalled at what little is actually being done to help preserve our environment! There was no recycling ANYWHERE in the area at which we stayed. Dumpsters were piled high with plastic bottles, aluminum cans, cardboard boxes, and more was coming every minute! Each morning the beachfront was littered with garbage and a few caring souls were out with their plastic bags trying

to pick it up.

The highways were filled with 1000's of semi trucks, all spitting black smog out of their double-smokestacks. At restaurants, the amount of garbage/waste was incredible. At one McD's I asked for a spoon. The clerk handed me a plastic bag in which there was a napkin, wrapped in a plastic sleeve around a plastic spoon that was also in a plastic wrapper. YIKES!!!

As we drove past major cities like Chicago, my sons excitedly looked for the big buildings, only to find the view hazy from brown smog.

I arrived home from our vacation feeling very depressed about the way we are treating our beautiful land/air/water. It has motivated me to incorporate more environmental lessons into my curriculum. I hope my students will then take these good habits (recycling, etc.) home to share with their families.

WHAT ARE OTHER SCHOOLS/COMMUNITIES DOING TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE? WHAT IS WORKING? WHAT IS NOT? HOW CAN WE HELP THE FUTURE OF OUR ENVIRONMENT BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE? Your input is MUCH appreciated!!!