With the way things are going, children who are born today will probably grow up associating “green” with the environmental movement more so than with the Crayola colour required for frogs and trees. Gone are the days when ‘The environment’ was a single chapter covered in a science textbook. In classrooms around the world, millions of teachers are doing their part to educate young people on the importance of caring for the earth. This is also true in the ESL world, where students come in all ages. According to About.com over 1 billion of the world’s people are currently learning English. Students taking preparatory exams such as the TOEIC and TOEFL will now find that the environment is a topic commonly covered in reading and listening sections.
Millions of ESL learners rely on online resources. One of the most popular FREE e-learning sites for ESL learners and teachers is English Club.com. This month English Club launched a section for learners who are interested in environmental issues.
Each English Club environment lesson includes a pre-reading vocabulary list, an English article on a current environmental issue, comprehension questions, and discussion topics. Readings range in difficulty from low-intermediate to advanced. English Club members may also enjoy the Our Planet forum. These resources can also be used by teachers in the ESL or young learners classroom (print them or use them in a computer lab setting). If you have an ESL learner or teacher in your circle of friends, please share the good news.
With the way things are going, children who are born today will probably grow up associating “green” with the environmental movement more so than with the Crayola colour required for frogs and trees. Gone are the days when ‘The environment’ was a single chapter covered in a science textbook. In classrooms around the world, millions of teachers are doing their part to educate young people on the importance of caring for the earth. This is also true in the ESL world, where students come in all ages. According to About.com over 1 billion of the world’s people are currently learning English. Students taking preparatory exams such as the TOEIC and TOEFL will now find that the environment is a topic commonly covered in reading and listening sections.
Millions of ESL learners rely on online resources. One of the most popular FREE e-learning sites for ESL learners and teachers is English Club.com. This month English Club launched a section for learners who are interested in environmental issues.
Each English Club environment lesson includes a pre-reading vocabulary list, an English article on a current environmental issue, comprehension questions, and discussion topics. Readings range in difficulty from low-intermediate to advanced. English Club members may also enjoy the Our Planet forum. These resources can also be used by teachers in the ESL or young learners classroom (print them or use them in a computer lab setting). If you have an ESL learner or teacher in your circle of friends, please share the good news.
The European Commission has delayed a vital vote on protecting forests from illegal logging till September. Greenpeace want to make sure the commissioners don’t forget about it during their summer holiday. They need you to help them make an extra impression before the September vote.
We all love the forests, and we would like to showcase all that love to the EU (and we know for a fact that the EU doesn’t have anything against some loving). The forests already have made an effort themselves!
Here is your mission:
Take pictures and/or videos of yourself and your friends spreading the love in a forest.
I missed the actual Earth Hour this year. Earth Hour, as you probably know, was started in 2007 in Sydney Australia as an experiment to see how much electricity could be saved if everyone in the city was asked to cut down or eliminate their electrical usage for one hour. (See the before and after photos to the right.) The idea was to raise a little awareness of our individual and collective use of energy. This year, on the last Saturday in March, dozens of cities around the globe participated. It was a raging success, by all accounts.
Of course there are skeptics who note that cities like Sydney really only cut their power consumption for the hour by 15%, and that there was a corresponding spike in electricity demand in the hours before Earth Hour — as if everyone just decided to run their dishwasher early in order to avoid the designated hour. Even given these cranky naysayers, I do believe that the experiment is a good one, even if it’s just to make everyone a little more aware of how they use electricity in their own house.
So, since I missed Earth Hour, I decided to try my own. I even thought I might make it a monthly event, as suggested by talkgreen’s Tara Benwell.
We tried it this past Thursday night. I made sure to schedule it on a night when my 14-year-old stepson was with us, and also made sure it was after dark for full effect. I thought the stepson would hate the idea, but when we decided we would turn off everything and then play a board game, he was surprisingly into it. Even better, he chose the game “Clue,” a murder mystery game, perfect for playing by candlelight. It just so happened that my mother-in-law was also with us, so it was a big family affair.
As the appointed time approached, everyone actually seemed to be looking forward to it. “Is it time yet?” I was asked more than once. When the hour arrived, we all rushed madly around the house turning off lights and unplugging televisions. I thought I had explained that only things that can’t be shut off (like TVs that constantly draw power) need to be unplugged, but I guess I wasn’t very clear since my wife and her son went around happily unplugging everything.
Here’s the “lazy man” part: we wimped out a little, I’m ashamed to say, when it came to things that were a little more difficult. If I unplugged the yard’s sprinkler system, I explained to my wife, I will just have to reprogram it — a pain in the neck. So we left it on. And, we could not figure out to shut off the little digital clock in the oven — wired in the wall somewhere. But still: when we started the hour, the little wheel in our electrical usage meter was spinning madly, and when we were done it had slowed to a crawl. We felt pretty good.
The rest of the hour was spent playing “Clue” as Lincoln would have, by the light of several candles. This was probably the first activity that the four of us — me, my wife, her Mom, and my stepson — had participated in together for months. So, dear readers, you don’t even have to care about the environment: Earth Hour is good for family togetherness!
Now one other thing I must admit: we didn’t even make it to the full hour. I had promised to take everyone out for ice cream when the hour was done, as a reward, and the second game of “Clue” ended with five minutes left to go in the hour. We all looked at each other, then jumped up and headed for Baskin-Robbins. Yay!
Tune in next month, in which I commit to turning off the electric sprinkler system, even if it means I then have to reprogram it. I really want to see if we can get that spinning electric meter wheel to stop entirely.
I missed the actual Earth Hour this year. Earth Hour, as you probably know, was started in 2007 in Sydney Australia as an experiment to see how much electricity could be saved if everyone in the city was asked to cut down or eliminate their electrical usage for one hour. (See the before and after photos to the right.) The idea was to raise a little awareness of our individual and collective use of energy. This year, on the last Saturday in March, dozens of cities around the globe participated. It was a raging success, by all accounts.
Of course there are skeptics who note that cities like Sydney really only cut their power consumption for the hour by 15%, and that there was a corresponding spike in electricity demand in the hours before Earth Hour — as if everyone just decided to run their dishwasher early in order to avoid the designated hour. Even given these cranky naysayers, I do believe that the experiment is a good one, even if it’s just to make everyone a little more aware of how they use electricity in their own house.
So, since I missed Earth Hour, I decided to try my own. I even thought I might make it a monthly event, as suggested by talkgreen’s Tara Benwell.
We tried it this past Thursday night. I made sure to schedule it on a night when my 14-year-old stepson was with us, and also made sure it was after dark for full effect. I thought the stepson would hate the idea, but when we decided we would turn off everything and then play a board game, he was surprisingly into it. Even better, he chose the game “Clue,” a murder mystery game, perfect for playing by candlelight. It just so happened that my mother-in-law was also with us, so it was a big family affair.
As the appointed time approached, everyone actually seemed to be looking forward to it. “Is it time yet?” I was asked more than once. When the hour arrived, we all rushed madly around the house turning off lights and unplugging televisions. I thought I had explained that only things that can’t be shut off (like TVs that constantly draw power) need to be unplugged, but I guess I wasn’t very clear since my wife and her son went around happily unplugging everything.
Here’s the “lazy man” part: we wimped out a little, I’m ashamed to say, when it came to things that were a little more difficult. If I unplugged the yard’s sprinkler system, I explained to my wife, I will just have to reprogram it — a pain in the neck. So we left it on. And, we could not figure out to shut off the little digital clock in the oven — wired in the wall somewhere. But still: when we started the hour, the little wheel in our electrical usage meter was spinning madly, and when we were done it had slowed to a crawl. We felt pretty good.
The rest of the hour was spent playing “Clue” as Lincoln would have, by the light of several candles. This was probably the first activity that the four of us — me, my wife, her Mom, and my stepson — had participated in together for months. So, dear readers, you don’t even have to care about the environment: Earth Hour is good for family togetherness!
Now one other thing I must admit: we didn’t even make it to the full hour. I had promised to take everyone out for ice cream when the hour was done, as a reward, and the second game of “Clue” ended with five minutes left to go in the hour. We all looked at each other, then jumped up and headed for Baskin-Robbins. Yay!
Tune in next month, in which I commit to turning off the electric sprinkler system, even if it means I then have to reprogram it. I really want to see if we can get that spinning electric meter wheel to stop entirely.
If you’re a parent like me, you’ve likely ended up with more stuffed animals than your children need. There will always be those few favourites that collect at the head or foot of your child’s bed and end up in keepsake boxes in basements to be found as treasures by subsequent generations. But due to birthdays, holidays, and not-so-special occasions, there are also dozens that your children likely pay little or no attention to and never will. Parent to parent, we all know that most of these misfits do not get adopted at your annual garage sale. (Though some do get rescued by our own children, or their pals, only to end up back in the same dark closet.)
For hygienic reasons, many thrift shops no longer accept old stuffies, no matter how ugly or cute they may be. You may also have difficulty finding a place to donate towels, blankets, baby pools, and cleaning supplies. I recently learned from a mom friend that the SPCA and other similar shelters welcome items such as stuffed animals that you may think belong in no other bin but the trash. This was great news, as my pile of “we don’t take that” was getting bigger by the day.
Whether you’re moving, downsizing, or doing your summer cleaning, now may be the time to contact your local animal shelter to find out which of the items below are on their wish list. Before you drop off your stuff, be sure to contact your local shelter to make sure your donations will be accepted.
SPCA Wish List
Animal Needs:
Dry kitten food
Dry Cat food
Dry puppy food
Canned cat and kitten food (urgent)
Temptation Cat treats
Dog treats
Cat structures
“Kong” Dog toys
Cat toys
Blankets
Cleaning Supplies:
Paper towels
Bleach
Glass Cleaner
Laundry Detergent
Fabric Softener
Dish Detergent
Hand Sanitizer
Anti-bacterial Hand Soap
Towels
Office Supplies:
Paper (letter, legal)
Cartridges
Scotch Tape
Whiteout
All Occasions Greetings Cards
Stamps
Legal size file folders
Gift Cards from local retail stores
Seasonal:
Small children paddling pools
Planters
Have you and your family started a monthly Earth Hour yet? July 26th is the last Saturday of the month. Why not call your local shelter and find out what they are in need of? As you go around the house turning lights and power bars off for the evening, why not collect a few donations for your local animal shelter. You may find that your children are less attached to those unnamed teddies if they know they’re going to be the new best friend for an orphaned puppy or kitten.
WARNING: You may be asked by the shelter to poke out the eyes and noses of those stuffies to prevent choking hazards for the real animals. This may be an activity you want to save until after bedtime!
Mr. McGuinty`s Ontario government this week pledged to protect almost a quarter of a million square kilometers of Ontario`s northern boreal forest – an area which is equivalent in size to the U.K., or six Belgium’s.
In a move that has evoked praise from environmental groups, the Ontario government has now made good on promises made during their last campaign. They will implement a protection plan which involves some 225,000 square kilometers of Ontario’s beautiful northern boreal forest.
Source: ForestEthics.org
The plan aims not only to protect the forest itself, but the species that inhabit the area. Polar bears, caribou, wolverine, among many others, are all under threat from climate change and industrial development. The commitment by the government ostensibly bans any industrial development in the area, and will also seek to amend the outdated Mining Act.
As of January 2008, over five thousand mining claims had been made in the boreal forest area. Major conflict has arisen between the free entry mining system and the Aboriginal communities who lay claim to their traditional territory. It will be a requirement now for companies to consult with Aboriginal communities early before even beginning any projects in the area, as well as share revenues from any projects on their lands anywhere in Ontario.
A “wilderness treasure” according to some, the boreal forest is home to some 28 Aboriginal communities and is one of the world’s largest carbon storehouses. The region now under discussion absorbs over 12 million tonnes of carbon dioxide yearly .
Source: ForestEthics.org
Resistance to this move is scarce and predictable. Opposition parties argue that it will discourage investment in the forestry and mining industries. This concern is also echoed by the companies themselves, who will now have to navigate through a dense forest of red tape before beginning new projects in the area.
As for the precedent this will set for other issues of industrial development and land protection elsewhere in Canada has yet to be seen. It is anticipated that this development will further facilitate the push for wildlife protection, as well as alleviate the pressure on communities (particularly Aboriginal) who are fighting to keep their land free from industrial development.
Being green! It may sound complicated and time consuming but it’s actually the opposite. All around us we see new gadgets and technologies that are supposedly eco-friendly. Well thats what companies are telling us. They try to make you think that you need to buy their expensive products in order to be green.
What you need to know is that you don’t need to pay a cent to go green. You can actually save money when doing so. It’s simple things like turning off the light whenever possible or using cold water to clean your clothes that make the big difference.
Visitors at the Peggy Notabaert Nature Museum in Chicago are unveiling their eco-resolutions:
Take an eco-resolution yourself and see the impact it can have on your daily life.
If you have any suggestion on the subject please leave us a comment.
With the way things are going, children who are born today will probably grow up associating “green” with the environmental movement more so than with the Crayola colour required for frogs and trees. Gone are the days when ‘The environment’ was a single chapter covered in a science textbook. In classrooms around the world, millions of teachers are doing their part to educate young people on the importance of caring for the earth. This is also true in the ESL world, where students come in all ages. According to About.com over 1 billion of the world’s people are currently learning English. Students taking preparatory exams such as the TOEIC and TOEFL will now find that the environment is a topic commonly covered in reading and listening sections.
