Another great job as usual!!! I love his creative writing! EARTH DAY H. Vuong 4/22/14 Each year, April 22 celebrates Earth Day to recognize and combat environmental concerns. United States Senator Gaylord Nelson first introduced the idea of Earth Day after witnessing the aftermath of a 1969 oil spill in Santa Barbara, California. The 1970’s were the height of the hippie, flower-child culture that used protest, art and literature to send messages of peace and love. Senator Nelson imagined that the same energy could be used to advocate for environmental consciousness. With this, Senator Nelson introduced an idea for a “national teach-in on the environment.” · What are we going tot talk about today? EARTH DAY · On what day to we celebrate Earth Day each year? APRIL 22 · What type of catastrophe inspired Senator Nelson to found Earth Day? OIL SPILL · What was the initial concept of Earth Day? TEACH IN TO RAISE AWARENESS FOR ENVIRONMENT In response to the first Earth Day celebration, over 20 million Americans took an environmental message to the streets, parks and airways. The first Earth Day celebration also inspired creation of the Environmental Protection Agency and passage of the Clean Air, Clean Water and Endangered Species acts. The Clean Air act helps to solve air pollution issues with science and technology. The Clean Water act is best known for preventing businesses from dumping pollutants into common waters. The Endangered Species act provides protection for plants and animals and the habitats in which they are found. · How many Americans took part in the first Earth Day? 20 MILLION · What famous federal agency was created after Earth Day took off? ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY · Name one Act, or law, that was inspired by Earth Day conservation? ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT · What/who does the Endangered Species Act protect? PROTECTS PLANTS AND ANIMALS So you ask: What are some common environmental concerns that Earth Day addresses? Here are a few: Climate change including global warming and flooding; Conservation of natural resources like forests; Energy conservation and use of renewable energies like solar and wind; land use and soil erosion; natural habitat destruction and ozone depletion. Many of these concerns are man made. For example, habitat destruction can occur when we tear down trees and forests where plants and animals make their home. Clearing out land to build new homes for humans often destroys natural homes! Ozone depletion is widely caused by our use of chemicals. The Ozone Layer is located in the Earth’s stratosphere and absorbs 99% of the Suns ultraviolet light; light which could damage life forms on Earth. · How do humans contribute to destruction of natural habitats? MAN MAKES PLENTY OF MISTAKES IN NATURE LIKE DESTROYING FOREST AND NATURAL HABITATS. · What does the Ozone Layer do? Why is it so important that we preserve the Ozone Layer? PROTECTS FROM UV RAYS As the 20th anniversary of Earth Day approached in 1990, the event went global. Over 200 million people in 141 countries participated in events focused on environmental awareness and conservation. In 1995 President Bill Clinton awarded Senator Nelson the Presidential Medal of Freedom for his role as Earth Day founder. The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the highest honor given to civilians in the United States. · How many people participated in Earth Day in 1990? 200 MILLION · What award did Senator Nelson receive when he was recognized as the founder of Earth Day? PRESIDENTIAL MEDAL OF FREEDOM · What is the Presidential Medal of Freedom? HIGHEST AWARD FOR CIVILIANS As Earth Day approached its 40th anniversary in 2010 it faced as much challenge as it did celebration. Many deny that climate change is happening, businesses pay lobbyists to fight environmental legislation and the public tends to become disinterested in high profile topics over time. To reinvigorate Earth Day, the Earth Day Network established a 2012 goal of A Billion Acts of Green to build a clean, healthy world for generations to come. · Name one challenge that Earth Day or environmental conservation faces. PEOPLE GOT BOARD WITH THE ENVIRONMENT AND STOPPED CARING SO MUCH · What did the Earth Day Network do to reinvigorate Earth Day in 2012? A BILLION ACTS OF GREEN A Billion Acts of Green offers several suggestions to protect the planet and help improve our communities. Examples include simple recycling of plastic, metals and paper; composting excess food to return it’s properties to useable soil; support renewable, sustainable energies like solar and wind power; unplug electrical devices when they are not in use; end junk mail; and openly support politicians that stand up for the environment with letters of support and discussion in your community · What is on example that a Billion Acts of Green offers to help protect the planet? USING RENEWABLE ENERGY CREATIVE WRITING: A Billion Acts of Green offers several suggestions on how to protect the planet and improve communities. Can you recall any suggestions that you have seen in action in your home or school? How would you like to participate in Earth Day this year? If you had unlimited resources, time and manpower how would you want to celebrate in environmental conservation in the future? I WOULD CREATE A CONSERVATION PLAN TO BE COMPLETED BY STUDENTS WITH AUTISM. IT WILL BE A FIRST ALL AUTISM CONSERVATION PLAN. MY PLAN WOULD BE TO PUBISH A COMPUTER PROGRAM THAT LOOKS FOR WAYS TO CONSERVE ENERGY AT SCHOOLS. IT WOULD BE DESIGNED BY STUDENTS WHO HAVE AUTISM. IT WOULD SHOW THAT STUDENTS WITH AUTISM HAVE MUCH TO CONTRIBUTE TO SOCIETY. THE END. |