BLITZ KRIEG PUBLISHING
Educating a Generation to be Green is Focus of Earth Day 2009
by Donna Gundle-Krieg April 16, 2009 Note: to comment on this story or other stories about education, please go to Examiner.com
The Green Generation Campaign will be launched on April 22, 2009, which is officially “Earth Day 2009.”
This will be a two year campaign, and “the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day in 2010 will be recognized by future generations as a turning point for all people worldwide,” according to the Earth Day network.
“It will mark the beginning of a new era of personal, corporate, and government responsibility for preserving the Earth.”
The Green Generation is open to everyone, including consumers, community leaders, parents, teachers, those who work in green jobs, and those who research green alternatives.
Here’s where it gets complicated: The Green Generation also recognizes “governments that will build a green economy and healthy population, and the religious community who are committed to a vision of a just, sustainable, green planet.”
The implications of some of this education and these stricter environmental policies and laws are complicated. They have a profound affect on the economy, and often collide with personal religious beliefs.
For example, the auto industry, which is already in crises, continues to be further beaten down by government regulations regarding fuel mileage. Never mind that these efficient automobiles are not practical for large families, nor are they safe for those who live in areas with mountains and/or heavy snowfall.
I became aware of another dichotomy produced by environmentalists while visiting Redondo Beach, California last week.
I took my family on a glass bottom boat tour that was led by a local crab fisherman. He told me how he has seen many cycles of fish population rising and falling throughout the many years he has supported his family by fishing local waters.
However, “recent college graduates who think they know everything continually fight against those of us who have studied the waters for years,” according to this fisherman, who considers himself to be a lover of the environment.
“For example, these extremists tell everyone that it is healthy to eat fish, and then they regulate the fishing industry so that we can’t succeed,” he explained.
“In addition to ruining our livelihoods, this regulation ruins the balance of nature and therefore harms the environment. After awhile, it tires us out to keep fighting against them.”
Both the fisherman and I believe that there should be room for compromise. After all, I’m not the only politically conservative Master Gardener who cleans up litter from my adopted road and preaches to kids about recycling.
Educating children about protecting our planet can be positive, even for the many of us who don’t believe that Al Gore’s footage of melting icebergs accurately portrays a global warming crises.
I’d like to think that the Earth Day people are open to compromise, too, as their goals and ideas are worthy.
For example, on the Earth Day website, educators can join a network of over 25,000 teachers who have access to 300 standard-based lessons and a forum to share ideas.
There are also ideas for parents and teachers about “school greenings.”
Earth Day also offers a grant program for National Civic Education Projects or Climate Change Educators.
For more information, see:
Should Schools Teach Children About the Environment?
US Students Ran 11th in Science, 9th in Math: Should We Go Back To Basics?
Stories by Donna Gundle-Krieg:
Education in the United States
Books With Stories by Donna Gundle-Krieg
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Michigan Death Notices home page
Northern Michigan Shanty Creek/ Schuss Mountain Rental For Ski and Golf
