Who We Are, Teacher Tips, Model Citizens, Life, Community Activities Common Ground Who We Are, Teacher Tips, Model Citizens, Life, Community Activities Common Ground

CG Birthday: Celebrate Earth Day on April 22nd

April is not just our birthday month! It’s the month we celebrate our incredible home: The Planet Earth.

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  • What is the History of Earth Day?

    • April 22nd, 1970 was the very first Earth Day! Proposed in 1969 by Wisconsin Senator Gaylord Nelson, Earth Day was celebrated all over the nation in a collaborated effort between grass roots groups and their local governments. Elementary schools did trash-pickup and anti-litter movements. Flowers were planted. People swept their streets. Mothers protested the pollution destroying their children’s air quality.

  • Did it work?

    • By the end of 1970, the Nixon administration had established the Environmental Protection Agency and passed the Clean Air Act.

    • Environmental justice gained momentum in New York especially.

    • Activists increasingly emphasized “environmental racism,” or how toxins and lack of green spaces in poorer neighborhoods disproportionately affected communities of color.

    • In the 1980’s El Puente and WE ACT formed to oppose environmental hazards like sewage plants and other pollutants that contributed to health disparities, including high rates of asthma.

    • Many observers have invoked the threat of climate change and pollution during the COVID-19 pandemic. Some have pointed to falling pollution levels in cities, as certain industries are on hold and transportation has slowed.

  • What can you do?

  • How you can celebrate at home

    • Animal Exercises to do at home with your kids ALL MONTH.

    • Stock up on reusable bags and try to go a month without using plastic ones!

    • Plant pollinator friendly local plants in your garden

    • Walk whenever you can or take public transportation (Keeping in mind Covid-19 precautions)

    • Use blankets or open windows rather than cranking up the Heater or AC

    • Pick up trash when you can! Even one piece can make a difference.

    • Watch Our Planet or Planet Earth to get your kids excited and curious about Earth

Remember everyone, we all share ONE COMMON GROUND. Our little blue planet is precious, and we have to take good care of it.

Love Love Love,

Your CG Family

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Community Activities, Health and Safety, Life, Model Citizens, Who We Are Common Ground Community Activities, Health and Safety, Life, Model Citizens, Who We Are Common Ground

Earth Hour: A Moment to Pause and Reflect

Saturday, March 27th at 8:30 PM local time is Earth Hour.

What is Earth Hour?

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Traditionally, global skylines have gone dark and millions of individuals have turned off their lights for Earth Hour as a symbolic gesture to their commitment to preserving our planet.

EarthHour.Org encourages people to participate in the hopes to keep nature loss and climate change top of mind. It is that mindfulness and reflection that will encourage people of every generation to stop and reflect on the lovely fragility of this earth that holds the entirety of our past, our present, and our future.

The World Wildlife Post is hosting a meditative hour for peace and mindfulness Here. You can sign up for text reminders Here.

Reflection may be an important step, but it’s just the FIRST step. There are so many things you can do, even as an individual, to change the world for the better.

Educate Yourself

  1. Earth Hour has links on Nature Loss and Biodiversity, Climate Change, and Potential Solutions Here

  2. World Wildlife Fund has several excellent links on what’s at stake, what needs to change, and how we can help Here

  3. Nasa talks about the proof of Climate Change Here

  4. COTAP.org talks about several ways to reduce your Carbon Footprint Here

  5. The Rainforest Alliance offers tips on how to teach your kids about Climate Change Here

  6. One Planet One Future has a video lesson series coming out that you can watch Here

  7. SCRAWL BOOKS has a whole section on Science and Nature for Kids Here

Sign Petitions and Donate

  1. Earth Hour has its pledge for educating others and finding greener ways to live Here

  2. World Wildlife Fund has a ton of excellent petitions to go through Here and several ways to donate Here

  3. GLOBAL DEAL FOR NATURE PETITION HERE

  4. TWENTY GLOBAL NON-PROFITS PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT YOU CAN DONATE TO HERE

#GiveFundsGiveTime is a motto we came up with during our Giving Tuesday event last year, but we find that the concept behind it is one we want to keep top of mind ALL year long. If you don’t have the funds to donate, spend time educating yourself and others! Every time you pass on knowledge to someone, they pass it on to someone else. These good deeds ripple out. You may be one person, but one person spreading their love can change the world.

With Love,

Ms. LJ and your Common Ground Family

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