The Planet Protection League A Grassroots Plan of Action To Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions With National Potential By Christine Revelas

Summary of the Planet Protection League Program This program will be a voluntary, school-wide, city-wide, and nation-wide approach to decrease the carbon footprint of every household in America. From the youngest child to the oldest adult, easy and attainable steps can be taken to lessen the impact of humans by reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the atomosphere. Phase One will start at the Robert Down Elementary School in Pacific Grove California. With ties to state-wide models, like the New Hampshire Carbon Challenge, and funding sources like the National Science Foundation, a host of volunteers will work at the grassroots level of this project, realizing the national audience potential.

Key Concepts: Greenhouse gases are adding to the carbon loading of our atmosphere. Humans are contributing to the production of carbon dioxide at an alarming rate. With minor habit changes and moderate reductions in energy consumption, each family can reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 10,000 pounds per year. Every child can do some, simple actions to help reduce the carbon footprint of her/his family at home. Every child at Robert Down School will be able to participate in Planet Protection League activities in her/his classroom

Objectives: By participating in the PPL activities at home, greenhouse gas emissions from households and vehicles will be reduced. By participating in PPL Activities at school, like recycling and composting projects, children will see how easy it is to recycle and compost at home. By participating in PPL Activities at school, like planting and plant growing activities, children will be encouraged to grow plants at their home. These could be flowering plants or vegetables grown in an organic manner. Children will write reports, keep graphs or photo document their results, which may be printed in school newspaper, town newspapers, or in larger state or nation news document

Procedures: Children will demonstrate concern and love for their planet by participating any and/or all activities suggested in the Planet Protection League program. Children will record their participation in home and school activities. Recording Sheets for home and school activities will soon be developed.

Assessments: Participation in the Planet Protection League is completely voluntary. However, blatant school praise and recognition will be heaped upon those that participate with enthusiasm and longevity. Posters of family carbon emission savings will be posted in the school foyer, listed in the local newspaper and presented to the board of education for acknowledgment. Student representatives will give power point presentations quarterly to the board of education. These students will design and deliver these presentation themselves, but the will have an adult advisor. The Product of this project will be the reduced carbon emissions into the planets atmosphere.

Actions to be taken: Write a proposal for the PGUSD Board to implement the Planet Protection League program in the district. Gather volunteers to pursue resources, funding source, expert advisors and scientists to guide activities at school and to develop and encourage resources use at home. Partner with conservation agencies interested in lessening greenhouse gas emissions. Call Oprah to launch the national phase.