mrs.waters.courses

Sustainability -- Go Green!

Sustaina-what? Click here to hear the podcast version

Sustainability means being able to maintain a certain ecological system for a really long time, may be even forever. For example, when people talk about sustainable agriculture, they are referring to growing plants (like fruits and vegies) in a way that won't harm the environment, yet will produce enough fruits and vegies to feed all the people of this planet.

What are ways we can harm the environment by growing fruits and vegies? Well, when farmers use pesticides to keep the bugs from eating their corn, those pesticides are not only harmful to humans, but they are also harmful to the air and soil. And, when it rains and the soil runs off into streams, then the pesticides eventually harm our ocean water...and when our ocean water contains toxic chemicals, it hurts the coral....and when the coral suffers so do the turtles and fish that survive off of coral...and when they are harmed then the bigger fish that feed off the turtles and coral reef fish suffer....and when they suffer.....YOU finish the story.....

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The 3 Rs: Reduce -- Reuse -- Recycle -- How We Can Help?

Jack Johnson is one of our island's best friends. He promotes the 3Rs: Reduce -- Reuse -- Recycle.

Click here to see Jack Johnson's 3Rs song (reduse, reuse, recycle)

1. Reduce -- discuss ... what does this mean to you?
2. Reuse -- discuss ... what does this mean to you?
3. Recycle -- discuss ... what does this mean to you?

But Mrs. Waters ... why are we talking about this in computer class?
Because when we get behind the computer screen, or the cell phone, or our Gameboys, it's easy to forget about the real world. We can stay connected to the ground we walk on even when we are in the virtual world. But how?
You tell me -- click on this link to go to the blog for your class and give me 3 ways that you can stay "connected."

Story of Stuff
It all starts with the STUFF we buy. Think about it...do we really need everything we have? Let's watch and see how the STUFF we buy impacts our environment....and us!

1. Watch this video! Scary! It's called "Story of Stuff"
2. Go to the blog and answer the question under "Story of Stuff"

What are some good things that are happening as people go "green"?
We are becoming more aware. You can find "green" stuff in the stores, like 7th Generation products. Even the gas and electric companies are promoting "green" living.
_What are some products your family uses?
DO: 1) an Internet search for green products. React and discuss.

Where is your stuff from?
DO:
(6th to 8th) Go through all your stuff at home and bring in one thing (like a toy, but no electronic gadgets) that you can research where it came from. We'll research its origins using the Internet. Next, we'll determine how much damage it may have caused along its way to your hands. Finally, we'll decide how much we really need all this stuff and what we can do to help our planet. Use the Story of My Stuff Form to complete this exercise.

(K-5th) 1. Discuss the Story of My Stuff Example by Mrs. Waters. 2. Think of something that you have and where it may have come from. 3. Discuss what path of destruction your stuff may have caused on its way to you! 4. Discuss what you can do to minimize harm to our earth by cutting back on your stuff!

DO: Help your parents figure out how they can be green. Look at the examples below of easy things you can do at home. Are your parents doing any of these things at home? Write them a letter about how they can be green at home. Take home your letter and share it with your parents. 

Here are some easy things you can do to be green at home:
1. Use vinegar and water to clean windows!
2. Use Simple Green to clean surfaces
3. The 3Rs of course!

You list the rest:
1. ____
2. ____
3. ____

References:

http://www.promiseofplace.org/how_pbe_works/index.shtml