EARTH DAY CURRICULUM LINKS: Science 6 Outcome 2: Investigate actions that lead to reducing electrical energy consumption in the environment Social Studies 7-9 Culture and Diversity: demonstrate an understanding of the interdependent relationship among individuals, societies, and the environment—locally, nationally, and globally—and the implications for a sustainable future

OUR EARTH 4.6 billion years old Rotates every 24 hours Rotation around the sun creates a year of seasons Tilted 23.4 degrees Surface is 71% water Unique planet The Earth is our home planet and provides everything we need Shared home with countless organisms still yet to be discovered BLUE PLANET TRAILER FROM BBC: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kAphgHhlteM&list=PLgZQR1VW3fpPG63MOTSgtbRWg-7rte3sQ

WHEN IS EARTH DAY? Celebrate anywhere in the world Care for the Earth every day of the year Recognizing our truly unique home planet

EARTH DAY FACTS First celebrated in the US in 1970. In 1990, celebrated by 200 million people in 141 participating countries In 2000, included 5,000 environmental groups in 184 countries Today 192 countries celebrate Earth needs our consideration and protection Waste Less People Need Nature Watch Conservation International’s video: “Nature is Speaking” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WmVLcj-XKnM

WHY IS EARTH DAY IMPORTANT? Show support for the environment Inspires action to help keep our planet healthy Earth Day teaches us about the effects of human actions on the world Seven billion people can support & celebrate Nature We are all connected to nature Helps us focus on being stewards of the Earth VIDEO: UNEP “Seven Billion Dreams. One Planet. Consume with Care.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JyL58vlbvgw

CLIMATE CHANGE Recycling - non-existent 40 years ago Energy efficient technology, such as LEDs  Hybrid and electric cars Renewable energy development Policy changes (such as the Clean Air Act of 1970) Global action to reduce GHGs: Paris Climate Accord (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change)

CLIMATE CHANGE EFFECTS Recycling - non-existent 40 years ago Energy efficient technology, such as LEDs  Hybrid and electric cars Renewable energy development Policy changes (such as the Clean Air Act of 1970) Global action to reduce GHGs: Paris Climate Accord (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change)

WHAT HAS COME FROM EARTH DAY? Recycling Energy efficient tech, LEDs  Electric cars Renewable energy development Policy changes Global action to reduce GHGs Recycling - non-existent 40 years ago Energy efficient technology, such as LEDs  Hybrid and electric cars Renewable energy development Policy changes (such as the Clean Air Act of 1970) Global action to reduce GHGs: Paris Climate Accord (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change)

HOW CAN WE CELEBRATE EARTH DAY? Small actions lead to larger actions, and inspire others to act. CELEBRATE ALL WEEK WITH THEMED ACTION DAYS (Following slides) VIDEO FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS by Prince Ea, “Man Vs Earth”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VrzbRZn5Ed4 Brainstorm: Wear a sweater and turn down the heat at school Turn off the lights (candlelight, necessary lights only) Waste Less (energy, water, plastic) Plant a tree (carbon sequestration & oxygen production) Sort waste properly, start a vermicompost (Waste Less) Go birdwatching/appreciate nature Visit the wildlife park or go for a nature walk Carpool, walk, or bike to school Teach others about how to help the Earth Make a pledge to help the Earth: https://www.greenschoolsns.ca/sites/default/files/activity_-_earth_day_pledge_p-12.pdf Grow a micro-garden: https://www.greenschoolsns.ca/sites/default/files/activity_-_micro_greens_p-12_0.pdf Have a litterless lunch: https://www.greenschoolsns.ca/sites/default/files/shw_litterless_lunch_2018_fn.pptx Nature scavenger hunt: https://www.greenschoolsns.ca/sites/default/files/activity_-_nature_scavenger_hunt_p-5_0.pdf

LIGHTS OUT FOR THE EARTH Open the blinds Use natural light Turn off unnecessary lights CELEBRATE ALL WEEK WITH THEMED ACTION DAYS: Simple actions can have a big impact, especially when the whole school community participates. Try hosting a competition to motivate different classrooms. Enlist Green Spies to do Classroom Checks to see when lights are turned off and reward the classrooms that reduce the most energy waste. Classroom Checks Support Package: https://www.greenschoolsns.ca/sites/default/files/spk_classroomchecks_fn.pdf

SWEATER DAY Turn down the heat 2 degrees Stay cozy in your favourite sweater CELEBRATE ALL WEEK WITH THEMED ACTION DAYS: When the weather is cold, we need to dress appropriately. Save energy by turning down the heat and turning up the fun with crazy sweater themes!

LITTERLESS LUNCH Make a lunch without any packaging Avoid food waste CELEBRATE ALL WEEK WITH THEMED ACTION DAYS: Lunches that do not send waste to the landfill are known as Litterless Lunches. Packaging is waste that is produced for a single purpose: to go to the landfill. Plastic often ends up in the ocean by travelling through the wind or water. When we buy less packaged food, we save energy and help the Earth.

GET OUTSIDE & EARTH DAY PLEDGE Spend at least 30 minutes outside Promise to make a change to help the Earth CELEBRATE ALL WEEK WITH THEMED ACTION DAYS: Enjoy fresh air and exercise outdoors, no matter the weather! Dress appropriately for the weather and get creative with games, performances, sports, and more! Pledge to make choices that reduce human impacts.

WEAR GREEN & POWER DOWN Wear green to show support for the Earth Power down on Friday CELEBRATE ALL WEEK WITH THEMED ACTION DAYS: Celebrate our home planet by wearing green (or maybe you will choose to all wear BLUE for the ocean!) Reduce phantom power by ending the week with a tour of the school to shut down all electronics.

WHAT WILL YOU DO THIS EARTH DAY? From appreciate of the microscopic to the huge collective actions that define an era, Earth Day is a time for action. Steer the discussion about individual actions into the Earth Day Pledge Activity (next slide) or the activity of your choice. WHAT WILL YOU DO THIS EARTH DAY?

TAKE ACTION FOR THE EARTH! Customize this slide to suit your accompanying activity (For larger school initiatives, see the Green Schools NS support packages: Lights Off Monday, Phantom Friday, WasteLess Wednesday, Classroom Checks, Schoolyard & Roadside Cleanup, Bike Rodeo, Energy Monster, etc) https://www.greenschoolsns.ca/feeling-resourceful Make your promise to the Earth Keep your promise by saving it until next year to see how you did

THANK YOU! www.greenschoolsns.ca Efficiency NS: 1-877-999-6035 CURRICULUM LINKS Grade 6 Science 301-19 demonstrate how Earth’s rotation causes the day and night cycle and how Earth’s revolution causes the yearly cycle of seasons