All “What You Do” Posts
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Everything You Do Makes a Difference, What You Do, Youth In Action
Apply for the 2012 GenerationOn Youth Advisory Council today
GenerationOn is now seeking 12 youth (ages 13-18) who are passionate about making a difference in their communities for the next generationOn Youth Advisory Council. These 12 youth leaders will act as ambassadors and advisors to generationOn and serve as role models for other youth in their communities.
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Everything You Do Makes a Difference, What You Do, Youth In Action
Students Bring Awareness to Lake Erie Algal Blooms
Jim Trogdon's middle school student's have been hard at work learning about environmental issues in their community and taking action to help our water planet. Does your classroom have a story you'd like us to feature? E-mail us at info@earthecho.org! -- The summer 2011 algal bloom outbreak in the western section of Lake Erie was the worst that has ever been recorded according to a new report by the National Wildlife Federation. Researchers have different opinions on what caused this “perfect storm” of algal growth this summer, but all agree that immediate action must take place to prevent this from happening again. Akron’s Coventry Middle School students have been studying this environmental catastrophe through their Disney Planet Challenge project, What is an algal bloom?...You are about to enter the Dead Zone! Disney’s Planet Challenge (DPC) is a project-based learning …
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Everything You Do Makes a Difference, What You Do, Youth In Action
The Do Something Awards are now accepting applications for 2012
The Do Something Awards are now accepting applications for 2012. Do Something is a national nonprofit organization that inspires young people to believe that change is possible, and trains, funds, and mobilizes them to be leaders who measurably strengthen their communities. The Do Something Award identifies exceptional young social entrepreneurs, activists, and community leaders who have a significant social impact. Five nominees will receive a $10,000 community grant, participation in the Do Something Awards TV show, media coverage, and continued support from DoSomething.org. Of those five winners, one will be selected to win the Grand Prize and will receive a total of $100,000 towards his or her cause or organization. The application deadline is March 1, 2012. Visit the Do Something website for application information. Click here or on read more for more information and how to apply.
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Events, STREAM, Everything You Do Makes a Difference, What You Do
Enter Planet Connect’s Get Green Video Contest
No matter where you live, there are ways your city or town can “go greener” through the innovative use of your Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) skills.
Planet Connect and Staples want HS students to demonstrate in a 30 second – 120 second video how one or more of the elements of STEM can help green your city or town. What have you learned in the classroom about how science, technology, engineering, or math could be used to help make your town or city greener, more sustainable and a model for 21st century living?
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Sep 22
Events, Everything You Do Makes a Difference, What You Do
September 22 is World Car Free Day
Participate in World Car Free Day to help save the planet!
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Everything You Do Makes a Difference, What You Do, Youth In Action
Youth Service America is accepting applications for six different grants
Youth Service America is currently accepting applications for six different grants including: STEMester of Service Grants Deadline: August 8, 2011 STEMester of Service Grants support middle school educators in STEM subject areas in engaging their students in a Semester of Service. Sodexo Lead Organizer Grants Deadline: July 15, 2011 The Sodexo Foundation and YSA are accepting applications from organizations across the United States to serve as 2011-2012 Sodexo Lead Organizers. Sodexo Youth Grants Deadline: September 16, 2011 YSA will award 25 Sodexo Youth Grants of $500 each to support youth-led service projects in the United States that address the issue of childhood hunger during National Hunger & Homelessness Awareness Week (November 13-20, 2011). Sodexo School Engagement Grants Deadline: August 15, 2011 The programs funded through this grant will engage teachers and students, grades K-12, in learning about the incidence of childhood hunger in their community, and in leading meaningful activities that facilitate access to nutritious food for all children, especially those …
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Everything You Do Makes a Difference, What You Do
Recycling 101
by Anca Recycling, as you probably know, is the reprocessing of materials into new products. This saves energy and virgin or raw materials, and decreases water and air pollution as well as greenhouse gas emissions. Although these days everyone seems to be talking about it, there is still much confusion about what to recycle and what not to recycle, so here is a quick review: Check out the general guidelines for conventional recycling below. Before applying, however, be sure to contact your municipality for local rules. Some municipalities may recycle items in the "shouldn't" category below. For example, the City of Pasadena recycles Styrofoam and plastic bags, while other cities do not. Item Do (recycle) Shouldn't (recycle) Glass Food and beverage containers Dishes, light bulbs, windows, mirrors Metal Aluminum and steel …
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Everything You Do Makes a Difference, What You Do
Get rid of those stinky cleaners!
by Anca I know I've mentioned this in passing before, but it's such an important and easy thing to do that I've decided to devote a whole entry to it. Why so much emphasis on household cleaners? Quite a few reasons: Over 90% of all reported poisonings in America occur at home- the leading reported cause is household cleaners. Cleaning products are not regulated and are full off chemicals. Many have ingredients that have hormone disruptors, carcinogens, respiratory inhibitors, and neurotoxins. A 2002 survey of contaminants in U.S. stream water found that 69 percent of streams sampled contained persistent detergent metabolites, and 66 percent contained disinfectants. So if you still want a clean house (and most of us do) but don't want to get sick or hurt the environment doing it, make the switch: Replace your chemical household cleaners …
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Everything You Do Makes a Difference, What You Do
Pesticides don’t just hurt pests
by Anca If you're running after that ant with a can of pesticide, think twice before spraying it. Pesticides affect not only the insects we want out of our house, yard, or food, but they also affect our health. According to a Center for Disease Control study, 90% of people tested had 5 to 16 pesticides in their bodies and most of the 11-year-olds tested had four times the amount deemed acceptable by the EPA. Since 80% of contact with pesticides happens indoors, it's better to forgo that spray can in favor of more humane ways (for you and them) of asking the pests to leave your house. Here are some things you can do to limit pesticides in your house and body: Eat organic food: Organic foods are those grown without the use of …
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Everything You Do Makes a Difference, What You Do
Water, Water, Everywhere
by Anca We're made up of water for the most part, as is our Earth. We're told to drink eight glasses per day to stay healthy. We use it to cook, clean, swim in, you name it. But though it seems to be everywhere, it's a finite resource (at least fresh water is). I will not get into the importance of water conservation and saving the fishies and, by extension, ourselves...you should take a look at Philippe's blog next door for that (some great stuff in there, seriously). But I feel compelled to tell you about the health and environmental impacts of personal water use and what we can do to be good to ourselves and the planet: Drink 8 glasses a day of filtered water: Yes, keep drinking that water, but not from a bottle or the tap. Why? It seems that there are no …
