Tuvalu, a disappearing tropical paradise

The nation of Tuvalu is a string of low-lying islands midway between Hawaii and Australia. After the Vatican City, this remote nation of 11,600 people is the second smallest in the world. It may be a small country, but it has big problems.

Tuvalu, along with many other islands, is very vulnerable to the threats of climate change. The islands, which sit just three feet above sea level, will completely disappear as sea levels rise. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, a United Nations-sponsored group made up of more than 2,000 scientists, predict that global warming will cause oceans to rise as much as 3 feet in the next 50 to 100 years.

Many of the people of Tuvalu aren't waiting around to see their beloved island home slowly disappear under the waves. They are migrating to other countries like New Zealand and Australia, where life is very different for the Tuvaluans. Coming from islands with few cars and quiet communities, where knowing how to fish and climb a tree are the two most important skills for survival, the hustle and bustle of city life in their new countries is a huge cultural shock.

Immigrants from Tuvalu are part of a rapidly growing group known as "environmental refugees." According to the United Nations, there are currently more than 20 million environmental refugees worldwide, more than those displaced by war and political repression combined. By 2010 the number will grow to 50 million, and 150 million by 2050.

Going global

All over the world, voices are speaking up in concern for our planet. From Singapore to Portugal, from Argentina to South Africa, our collective voices are growing stronger and bolder. Although our struggles maybe very different, and the consequences of global warming and the loss of natural resources and habitats may be greater on some, we all are fighting to make a difference and be heard. It can be easy to get swept up in our own worlds and not realize that the fight to protect our planet is a truly global one.

For the next month on the Green Guide for Kids we will be taking a look deeper into the environmental issues facing communities all over the world. If you would like to contribute or share your own story, pictures or ideas, they would be very welcome. When you share your ideas with others on the Green Guide for Kids, you have a truly global audience. People from 99 countries around the world have visited this site for information and inspiration.

Happy Birthday to Us

The Green Guide for Kids is one years old! Here's a look back at some of my favorite posts:

Plant native trees
What's so bad about carbon?
The real dirt on cleaning products
Focus the Nation Webcast
You are what you eat
Happy birthday=happy environment

And don't forget to leave a comment...we want to hear your ideas!

Al Gore's 10 year challenge

Al Gore challenged America to use 100% renewable energy sources for our electricity within 10 years. Here are some highlights from his inspirational speech.

School's out!

So school is finally out for summer. You are now free to sleep past 8:00, have sleepovers in the middle of the week and hang out by the pool with your ipod. While in school it can be really hard to find time to do extra curricular activities. Now that you have so much time you don't know what to do with, check out these youth environmental clubs. Kids all over the world have joined these groups to meet cool people, have thrilling and rewarding experiences and to make a real impact. As the good man Gandhi once said: "You must be the change you wish to see in the world."



Roots & Shoots – Roots & Shoots offers wonderful opportunities to join in and get involved. Roots & Shoots teams make positive change happen for their communities, for animals and for the environment through projects, special events and global campaigns. It is a youth–driven network of 8,000 groups in 100 countries guided by the priciples and vision of Dr. Jane Goodall, renowned primatologist, environmentalist and humanitarian. "Her firm belief that young people, when informed and empowered, when they realize that what they do truly makes a difference, can indeed change the world, is at the very heart of our program."


Global Kids – Their mission: "To transform urban youth into successful students and global and community leaders by engaging them in socially dynamic, content-rich learning experiences." This group is based in New York City, and their online programs have reached millions of youth in over 100 countries.




Green Guerillas – "uses a unique mix of education, organizing, and advocacy to help people cultivate community gardens, sustain grassroots groups and coalitions, engage youth, paint colorful murals, and address issues critical to the future of their gardens." They are located in New York City and their members are all ages and from all walks of life.







Teens for Planet Earth – Is an online resource for teens to learn more about the environment and conservation, and to guide them through the process of taking action or starting an environmental club in their own community.









The Jason Project – is "A nonprofit subsidiary of the National Geographic Society, JASON connects young students with great explorers and great events to inspire and motivate them to learn science."

If you have a group of club of your own that you'd like to share, let us know by leaving a comment below.