Volvo Adventure Programme- Deadline January 31, 2008

Volvo Adventure Programme- Deadline January 31, 2008 Arranged in collaboration with the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) the Volvo Adventure Award rewards young people who run their own environmental projects. We are now looking for the 2008 winners – and the deadline of 31^st January 2008 is approaching. If you know of any groups of 13-16 year olds working on an environmental project they only have a few weeks to enter. All they have to do is register and enter your project now by visiting www.volvoadventure.org. By registering, they have the opportunity to win an all-expenses-paid trip to the final in Sweden and the chance of a financial reward that could make it possible to run, improve or enhance your project. For young people it could be an adventure that offers a chance to make new friends all over the world, attract international attention and recognition for their project. We look forward to seeing your network’s projects! Good luck.

Ressources d’éducation à l’environnement en français

Ressources d’éducation à l’environnement en français - jeux interactifs et activités de nature French environmental education resources – interactive games and nature activities http://www.frapna.org/ Cliquez sur Campagnes Pédagogiques pour les jeux et activités “La rivière m’a dit…” “La forêt m’a dit…” “Nature sans frontiers” “Mare, où est tu?” “Le jeu de l’eau”

Gore's inspirational Nobel acceptance speech

Hi folks - The public focus on climate change is bringing to light the key messages that environmental educators have been giving through their teaching, in various ways and contexts, for decades now. Do yourself a favour and watch Al Gore's 22 minute Nobel acceptance speech at this website: http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/peace/laureates/2007/gore-lecture.html It is a marvelous call to action, and truly inspirational. All the best in 2008. Onward! Gareth Thomson Executive Director, Alberta Council for Environmental Education 911 Larch Place, Canmore, AB T1W 1S5 ph: 403-678-0079 http://abcee.org/ Excerpts from Al Gore's speech: "As temperature extremes have increased, tens of thousands have lost their lives. We are recklessly burning and clearing our forests and driving more and more species into extinction. The very web of life on which we depend is being ripped and frayed.... In the years since this prize was first awarded, the entire relationship between humankind and the earth has been radically transformed. And still, we have remained largely oblivious to the impact of our cumulative actions. Indeed, without realizing it, we have begun to wage war on the earth itself. Now, we and the earth's climate are locked in a relationship familiar to war planners: "Mutually assured destruction." ... Now comes the threat of climate crisis ˆ a threat that is real, rising, imminent, and universal. Once again, it is the 11th hour. The penalties for ignoring this challenge are immense and growing, and at some near point would be unsustainable and unrecoverable. For now we still have the power to choose our fate, and the remaining question is only this: Have we the will to act vigorously and in time, or will we remain imprisoned by a dangerous illusion? Mahatma Gandhi awakened the largest democracy on earth and forged a shared resolve with what he called "Satyagraha" ˆ or "truth force." In every land, the truth ˆ once known ˆ has the power to set us free. Truth also has the power to unite us and bridge the distance between "me" and "we," creating the basis for common effort and shared responsibility. There is an African proverb that says, "If you want to go quickly, go alone. If you want to go far, go together." We need to go far, quickly. We must abandon the conceit that individual, isolated, private actions are the answer. They can and do help. But they will not take us far enough without collective action. At the same time, we must ensure that in mobilizing globally, we do not invite the establishment of ideological conformity and a new lock-step "ism.".. That means adopting principles, values, laws, and treaties that release creativity and initiative at every level of society in multifold responses originating concurrently and spontaneously. This new consciousness requires expanding the possibilities inherent in all humanity... These are the last few years of decision, but they can be the first years of a bright and hopeful future if we do what we must. No one should believe a solution will be found without effort, without cost, without change. Let us acknowledge that if we wish to redeem squandered time and speak again with moral authority, then these are the hard truths: The way ahead is difficult. The outer boundary of what we currently believe is feasible is still far short of what we actually must do. Moreover, between here and there, across the unknown, falls the shadow. That is just another way of saying that we have to expand the boundaries of what is possible. In the words of the Spanish poet, Antonio Machado, "Pathwalker, there is no path. You must make the path as you walk."

EnerAction Now Up and Running!

Bring energy conservation and efficiency projects to your Grades 4 to 7 classrooms with EnerAction. Eleven lesson plans, written by teachers for teachers, offer you a range of ways to make energy come to life in your classroom. Try the new Carbon Calculator! This innovative and interactive web-based lighting activity is a great tool for students. In one lesson, students investigate the costs in energy and in greenhouse gases to light their classrooms. They then identify ways to save energy and track their success. Students work alongside the Carbon Critter whose footprints grow larger when they use a lot of energy, and shrink when they save. Teachers can register with GreenLearning here: http://www.greenlearning.ca/register. To learn more about EnerAction got to: http://www.greenlearning.ca/eneraction. To visit the student website and try the Carbon Calculator go to: http://eneraction.greenlearning.ca/

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Greetings all Environmental Educators and Communicators...

Bonjour tous les spécialistes de l’environnement...

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Regards,

Natalie Swayze Executive Director Directrice executive Canadian Network for Environmental Education and Communication EECOM Reseau canadien d'education et de communication relatives a l'environnement