Sustainable Living in an Interconnected World
Janet Foster, Contributing Editor
From Silent Spring to Earth in the Balance, authors like Rachel Carson and Al Gore have eloquently advocated for public awareness of environmental issues during the twentieth century. Sustainability, a philosophy of interdependence, of respect for life as well as nature, is the responsibility of all citizens and future generations. What follows are some Web sites devoted to this increasingly improtant topic.
Environmental Literacy Council
Visitors to this site will find information organized into categories like economics, forests, biodiversity, water, and more. Each category includes an overview of recent environmental news and links to substantive material elsewhere on the Web. Librarians and teachers will also find a detailed review of various environmental science texts, including Environmental Connections: A Teacher’s Guide to Environmental Studies. A link to the publisher and ordering information is also available at www.kendallhunt.com.
Scorecard
Scorecard uses scientific and government data to provide an extensive and up-to-date collection of environmental information available on the Web. You can type in your zip code to find out about local air pollution and Superfund sites. Topics covered include toxic releases by manufacturers, hazardous air pollutants, and animal waste. A glossary is provided. Profiles provide detailed information on more than 6,800 chemicals, including all the chemicals regulated under major environmental laws.
Live from the Rainforest
Live from the Rainforest is an ongoing series of electronic field trips to scientific fronteirs supported by the National Science Foundation, NASA, and others. Learn about rain forests and why they are located where they are. You will find a gallery of maps, images, and information on the trees, plants, birds, animals, and insects of the rain forest. Read biographies and field journals from scientists and special students. The site provides a multimedia guide to books, articles, videos, CD-ROMs, and online resources, with mini-reviews from educators and an index of all the images, video clips, and sounds found on this site.
Second Nature
Second Nature is a nonprofit organization designed to help make environmental sustainability a foundation of learning and practice. A basic premise of Second Nature is that moving society on a sustainable path will require major changes in the process and content of higher education. The newly updated site offers current EPS (Education for Sustainability) resources for teachers and educators, including dozens of examples teaching methods and techniques, a bibliography of more than 1,800 educational resources, examples of 250 course syllabi, and a collection of essays and publications. The site also allows users to communicate with educators via the bulletin board or browse upcoming events on the calendar.
For Kids and Kids @ Heart
Earth in the Balance
World Book Encyclopedia presents an in-depth look at global changes brought about by humans and interviews a world-famous biologist about the imprtance of preserving species. This wonderful interactive resource about the global environment examines the effects of increasing population and the importance of conservation. The site includes articles about global warming, pollution, ozone depletion, and extinction of species. Activities for kids and a student quiz make this an excellent site for both adults and children.
United States Environmental Protection Agency
The mission of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is to protect human health and to safeguard the natural environment. Its Web site provides links to information about the EPA; news and events; projects and programs; laws and regulations; publications; resources for kids, students, and teachers; and children’s health.
The EPA Explorers Page uses art, coloring, comics, stories, and games to involve kids in environmental science. The EPA Explorer’s Club invites kids to learn about recycling, water conservsation, and other vital topics through the use of interactive games and activities. This is an excellent, highly recommended Web resource.
The EPA also maintains a Student Center and an Environmental Education Center for teachers.
Students searching for outreach, facts, activities, or club projects dealing with the environment should visit the student site. The education Center, for teachers of grades 3–9, is also an excellent resource, providing teachers with a wide variety of curriculum guides and activities (many in pdf format), community service projects, and grant opportunities.
World Wildlife Fund
Known worldwide by its panda logo, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) is dedicated to protecting the world’s wildlife and wildlands. WWF directs its conservation efforts toward three global goals: protecting endangered spaces, saving endangered species, and addressing global threats. From working to save the giant panda, tiger, and rhino to helping to establish and manage parks and reserves worldwide, the WWF has been a conservation leader for decades.
The Kid’s Stuff Page mirrors the main site and incorporates fact sheets, games, and quizzes. This is an excellent Web resource for young patrons.
Toward a Sustainable Future
Rachel Carson’s pivotal publication, Silent Spring, remains a rleevant wake up call in the twenty-first century. The Rachel Carson Web site promotes her legacy with this quote: “The more clearly we can focus our attention on the wonders and realities of the universe about us, the less taste we shall have for destruction.” Educating the public about sustainable living issues via the Internet and other formats will help ensure a healthy environment for planet Earth and increase the probability that future generations may continue to experience vibrant, noisy springs, both today and in the next millenium.