Water for Peace
Water can create peace or spark conflict.
When water is scarce or polluted, or when people have unequal, or no access, tensions can rise between communities and countries.
More than 3 billion people worldwide depend on water that crosses national borders. Yet, only 24 countries have cooperation agreements for all their shared water.
As climate change impacts increase, and populations grow, there is an urgent need, within and between countries, to unite around protecting and conserving our most precious resource.
Public health and prosperity, food and energy systems, economic productivity and environmental integrity all rely on a well-functioning and equitably managed water cycle.
Creating a positive ripple effect
The theme of World Water Day 2024 is ‘Water for Peace’.
When we cooperate on water, we create a positive ripple effect – fostering harmony, generating prosperity and building resilience to shared challenges.
We must act upon the realization that water is not only a resource to be used and competed over – it is a human right, intrinsic to every aspect of life.
This World Water Day, we all need to unite around water and use water for peace, laying the foundations of a more stable and prosperous tomorrow.
Play your part. Do what you can.
![Water Is Life: Living in Reciprocity with Our Local Waterways (Past, Present, and Future) [Option #2]](https://subjecttoclimate.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com/6716/conversions/robin-canfield-Q8VfvtXEPPc-unsplash-thumb.jpg)
2024 City of Eugene SPLASH! It's not too late to apply!
The City of Eugene is providing their “SPLASH!” grant funding for instruction in science. SPLASH! (Stormwater Pollution Learn and Share!) is a website and curriculum for grade levels K-8 exploring water and the effects of pollution in water systems, the water cycle, and local ecosystems. Also included in this program is the Salmon and the Ecosystem curriculum, available for grades 5-12, which approaches water quality issues with emphasis on salmon and its role in our region’s ecosystem, economy and culture.
Here are the SPLASH! Website and City of Eugene's Classroom Materials sites containing all the grade-level curriculum information and materials.
Here is the link to the 2024 SPLASH! Grant Application. There are two levels of grant funding available: (a) a one time per year per school, up to $1,000 award; or (b) two up to $500 per year per school awards. Funds will be allocated based on alignment with SPLASH! Curriculum; alignment with 4J Science Curriculum, Common Core State Standards and NGSS; and the proposed project budget. A copy of the scoring rubric is attached for your reference. In the event of multiple classroom or grade level applications per school, Principals will need to prioritize the requests prior to submission of completed applications. Please read the application carefully as there are specific restrictions with regard to proposed technology purchases.
Note: Requests for funding of Outdoor School programs will not be considered as State funding has been allocated for Outdoor School for all 4J Elementary Schools.
In order to be considered for funding, completed applications must be received by 11:55 pm on Friday, March 22, 2024.
This is a great opportunity for your school and a nice partnership with the City of Eugene. Please let me know if you have any questions regarding the SPLASH! Program or your project eligibility.
K-12 educators, please see our Water Teachers page for Honorary membership and benefits!
Every year, on the birthday of Rudolph Diesel, National Biodiesel Day is celebrated with the intention of raising the profile of biodiesel products. Biodiesel is a cleaner alternative to petroleum-based fuels and can be made from recycled cooking oil, animal fat, or vegetable oil.
It’s a product that’s said to be better for the environment and has the potential of stopping the advancement of global warming. And as biodiesel technology advances, it’s becoming clearer that this product is the fuel of the future.
See below for a Vearthual Field Trip to Sequential Biofuels to learn from Ian Hill.
Every year, the Earth yields billions of tons of natural resources and at some point, in the not too distant future, it will run out.
That’s why we must think again about what we throw away – seeing not waste, but opportunity.
The last decade has been the hottest on record, and we are now facing a climate emergency of unparalleled proportions. If we don’t make significant and rapid changes, we will see continued rising global temperatures, the melting of icecaps, continents on fire and rapid deforestation.
This directly affects humanity with increased poverty, immigration from displaced communities, job losses, waste mountains and natural habitats disappearing. We have the power to make lasting changes to combat this, and with recycling being recognized in the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals 2030, we are already seeing many individuals, governments and organisations taking direct action to support the global green agenda.
Recycling is a key part of the circular economy, helping to protect our natural resources. Each year the ‘Seventh Resource’ (recyclables) saves over 700 million tonnes in CO2 emissions and this is projected to increase to 1 billion tons by 2030. There is no doubt recycling is on the front line in the war to save the future of our planet and humanity.
Global Recycling Day was created in 2018 to help recognize, and celebrate, the importance recycling plays in preserving our precious primary resources and securing the future of our planet. It is a day for the world to come together and put the planet first.
The mission of Global Recycling Day, as set out by the Global Recycling Foundation, is twofold:
1. To tell world leaders that recycling is simply too important not to be a global issue, and that a common, joined up approach to recycling is urgently needed.
2. To ask people across the planet to think resource, not waste, when it comes to the goods around us – until this happens, we simply won’t award recycled goods the true value and repurpose they deserve.
BRING provides free in-classroom presentations, tours of Lane County waste-handling facilities, and additional opportunities to engage students in waste prevention. From reuse and recycling to food waste reduction and the circular economy, classroom and field trip experiences help foster the connection between natural resources and consumption habits and explore ways students can change behaviors to have a positive impact on the world around them. Click here to learn more.
Classroom presentations may be scheduled in conjunction with field trips for extended learning. Programs are in partnership with Lane County Waste Management. Email jackg@bringrecycling.org to get started.
Check out this year's Lane County Waste Wise Sustainability Guide- a guide to sustainability.
Empowering residents, businesses & schools with resources to reduce waste & live more sustainably.
This year's theme is Forests and Innovations: New Solutions for a Better World
The United Nations General Assembly adopted resolution A/RES/67/200 on 21 December 2012, which declared that 21 March of each year is to be observed as the International Day of Forests.
The resolution encourages all Member States Encourages all Member States to organize activities related to all types of forests and trees outside forests, such as tree planting campaigns, at the time most appropriate to each State.
Earth Hour 8:30-9:30 pm
Earth Hour --- A Lights Off Moment --- Unplug for the Planet
Spend one hour doing something-anything-positive for our planet.
The purpose of this hour on this day is to unite people all across the globe in their effort to save the planet.
This day was created by the World Wide Fund For Nature (WWF) and encourages people to turn off their non-essential electric components, as well as their lights. The WWF hopes that if people practice this holiday for that one hour per year, they will think about their energy consumption more and make the effort to use less energy.
April is Earth Month.
The theme is Planet vs. Plastic- demanding a 60% reduction in the production of ALL plastics by 2040.
Let's end plastics for the sake of human and planetary health!
In the meantime, here are a couple links to get you thinking about what you may want to do with your students to honor our Mother Earth.
Earth Day resources for teachers:
I am thrilled to be joining the 4j EWEB Education Program, and look forward to supporting the team in engaging and educating our youth in the wonders and responsibilities of enjoying and caring for the natural world around us!
I am a busy mom of 3 kiddos (freshman in college, senior in high school, 1st grade). They keep my on my toes with their pranks and shenanigans:) During the summer months you will find me on a paddle board, trail, or beach! The rest of the year I entertain myself by crafting, DIY house projects, and pranking my children with inflatable costumes.
4J/EWEB Education Partnership
TOSA-Climate. Energy. Conservation
Email: shepard_t@4j.lane.edu
Website: https://bit.ly/4J-eep
Phone: 541.790.5533
