New Exhibit on Climate Change

If you happen to live in the New York City area, or are planning to visit anytime between now and August, be sure to check out the new exhibit at the American Museum of Natural History on Climate Change. And if you won't have the opportunity to check it out in person there is still a lot to see and learn on the exhibit's website. They even have a cool section for kids where you can learn how to build your own terrarium, quiz yourself to see how much you know about climate change, play games and puzzles and do many other fun activities.

Green it yourself video: reed placemat

Here's a fun project for those with nimble fingers! Try making a placemat, table runner, wall hanging or even a cool "twig man" halloween costume using reeds or twigs from your yard. Click on the link below to learn how.

green it yourself video: reed placemat

Posted using ShareThis

RSVP Mr. President

You may be too young to vote. But you are not too young to demand that the next president take a real stand against global warming. The website 350.org is asking you to join with thousands of others around the world in inviting Senator McCain and Senator Obama to pledge that they will attend the UN Climate Meetings this December if they become president. It's as easy as tying your shoe. And, you can also upload your very own video message for the candidates.

The 350.org is a global movement aiming to help solve the climate crisis by educating people about the number 350. 350 is the number that leading scientists say is the safe upper limit for carbon dioxide--measured in "Parts Per Million" in our atmosphere. 350 ppm--it's the number humanity needs to get back to as soon as possible to avoid runaway climate change.

Club Green

Now that you are a settled in back at school, it's a great time to start an environmental club at your school, place of worship, or in your community. Running a club can take a lot of work though, so make sure to get some help first.

Here’s how you do it:

1. Meet with the principal or leader of your group to discuss your club with them. Let this person know that you have already taken action in your own life to go green and why you think it is important for your school or group to have an environmental club.
2. Get a sponsor or a mentor. A teacher or other adult can help you with some of the responsibilities involved in running a club and speak on your behalf.
3. Recruit members. Spread the word by making announcements, putting up posters, and handing out flyers and inviting classmates to join. Be sure to include a phone number or email address for them to contact you.
4. -Set up an introductory meeting to decide how your club will be run. Discuss what you would like to accomplish. To keep your group focused, pick one goal that you can all work toward accomplishing. Create a task sheet to delegate responsibilities to all members.

Here are a few ideas for projects and activities your club can take on:

–Set up a recycling system in the school cafeteria.
-–Organize an after-school toy swap.
–Plant a small organic garden that will provide fresh vegetables for the school cafeteria.
–Support local wildlife and reduce CO2 in the air by planting trees, shrubs and flowers on school grounds.
–Have a garage sale and give proceeds to you favorite environmental organization or a local pet shelter.
–Organize trips to the local zoo.
–Organize special events like a “Kids Walk to School Day” or “Create No Trash Day”.
–Make posters to educate others about what they can do to leave a greener footprint.

Robert Kennedy on the "qualities of youth"

"Our answer is the world's hope; it is to rely on youth. The cruelties and the obstacles of this swiftly changing planet will not yield to obsolete dogmas and outworn slogans. It cannot be moved by those who cling to a present which is already dying, who prefer the illusion of security to the excitement and danger which comes with even the most peaceful progress. This world demands the qualities of youth: not a time of life but a state of mind, a temper of the will, a quality of the imagination, a predominance of courage over timidity, of the appetite for adventure over the love of ease."

- Robert F. Kennedy

Understanding Global Warming

I came across this great interview with Professor Michael Oppenheimer on the website Videojug.com. Professor Oppenheimer is a Professor of Geosciences and International Affairs at Princeton University. He clearly explains global warming and greenhouse gases and explains how humans are causing them.



VideoJug: Ozone And Greenhouse Gases

The Green Olympics

All across the world, eyes will be focused over the next few weeks on the athletes competing in the Olympics in Beijing. There are a few that are should be admired not only for being world class athletes, but for speaking out about protecting the environment. Grist has put together a great list of these Green Athletes. Check out what they are doing to make a difference.