Window Into Green (continued)
today is the same water we’ve always had, and always will.
5. The sun is the ultimate source of energy flowing through eco-
CLEARING is back —
systems.
Food grows from sunlight energy; our houses are heated by fossil
and better than
fuels created many millennia ago from ancient sunlight.
6. There is no waste in nature; everything is recycled.
before!
In nature, every waste product is used by other creatures. Hu-
mans have bent those circles into straight lines, where things are
used once and tossed. This celebrated publication for
7. We consume resources to live. teachers and educators
Every student should know where the trash truck takes the trash,
will give you great teaching ideas,
where water comes from, and how the nearest power plant makes
resources for the classroom or nature
electricity.
center, and inspiration for creating
8. Conservation is the wise use of finite resources.
environmental lessons for any age or
We are physical creatures with real needs—to eat, drink, build
houses, write on paper. But how do we use these resources sustainably?
grade level!
9. Humans can have a profound effect on environmental systems.
Fossil fuels pump carbon dioxide into the sky; habitat loss
Open the door to new ideas for engaging
is causing the extinction of large numbers of species. Our actions students in dynamic and powerful
profoundly affect the ecological systems that sustain living things—
learning that builds critical thinking
and us. Nature can often repair these systems (forests grow back,
skills, community involvement and
for example); but humans are changing systems faster than nature
can adapt.
environmental literacy!
10. Each of us can powerfully affect the fate of the natural world.
— activities that meet state standards!
Because each of us is directly plugged into the planet, the ac-
tions we take—or fail to take—profoundly influence earth’s systems.
— interdisciplinary, inquiry-based
activities!

— inspiring examples from classrooms
Mike Weilbacher is Director of the nonprofit Lower Merion Conser- around the Pacific Northwest!
vancy in Gladwyne, Pennsylvania. He travels the United States as an
environmental educator, performer, and workshop presenter. E-mail:
This could be the most valuable
mike@dragonfly.org; Web site: www.mikeweilbacher.com; Blog: www.
mikeweilbacher.blogspot.com.
resource
on your desk!
Regional Network (continued from page 2)
How can you be a
Joining hands across the region
part of it?
The critical piece of this puzzle, as always, is obtaining the
participation and support of individuals, organizations, and businesses
across the region who believe in the importance of environmental and
- Write a review of a favorite book,
sustainability education. If we can capture a portion of the energy and
curriculum guide, activity or video
passion for EE that exists in this region towards the purpose of creating a
vibrant, dynamic publication, then we should have no problem attaining
-Tell us about an outstanding
a stable financial and organizational situation that will ensure the school- or community-based EE
sustainable publication of this importance educational resource.
program that deserves recognition
Your help is needed - as always
- Write an article about an EE-
So if you’ve read CLEARING in the past,, you’ve heard this message
before: we need your participation and support to make this revival
related experience or share your
a success. We welcome your contribution of book reviews, resource
perspective on a EE topic.
listings, and success stories. Please contact our office to see how you
can help. I look forward to achieving the goal of a stable and sustainable
Contact us at editor@clearingmagazine.org for
CLEARING serving educators for years to come! -LB
more information.
Page 54 http://www.clearingmagazine.org Clearing - 2009 Compendium Edition
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