At our regularly scheduled April Planet Stewards book club we’ll discuss Consumed: The Need for Collective Change: Colonialism, Climate Change, and Consumerism

We live in a world of stuff. We dispose of most of it in as little as six months after we receive it. The byproducts of our quest to consume are creating an environmental crisis. Aja Barber wants to change this--and you can, too.

In Consumed, Barber calls for change within an industry that regularly overreaches with abandon, creating real imbalances in the environment and the lives of those who do the work—often in unsafe conditions for very low pay—and the billionaires who receive the most profit. A story told in two parts, Barber exposes the endemic injustices in our consumer industries and the uncomfortable history of the textile industry, one which brokered slavery, racism, and today’s wealth inequality. Once the layers are peeled back, Barber invites you to participate in unlearning, to understand the truth behind why we consume in the way that we do, to confront the uncomfortable feeling that we are never quite enough and why we fill that void with consumption rather than compassion. Barber challenges us to challenge the system and our role in it. The less you buy into the consumer culture, the more power you have. Consumed will teach you how to be a citizen and not a consumer. Check out a summary of the book, Consumed for more details.

• For details on all our meeting dates, times, selections, and how to log in, go to our Upcoming Events Page.
• Make sure you receive reminder announcements! Sign up to our mailing list.
• See previously selected books and discussion questions in our Book Club Archive.

 --------------------------------------------------------

16 de abril, y el 24 de abril, 2024 I 7 p.m. Hora del Este

¡Saludos a todos! ¡Deseamos invitarlos a un evento muy especial, gratis y abierto a todos y en español! Júntense con nosotros para una conversación sobre la novela El Quetzal Azul – una historia inolvidable escrita para lectores de todas edades – escrita por Dennis Avelar. El autor estará presente con nosotros durante dos noches: el martes 16 de abril, y el miércoles 24 de abril, las dos noches a las 7:00 PM (hora del este). Escojan la fecha que más les convenga y estén listos para aprender más de una historia que jamás olvidarán. ¡Todos son bienvenidos a este evento virtual!

¿De que se trata El Quetzal Azul?

El equilibrio natural del mundo está en peligro. Los seres responsables del bienestar de nuestro planeta fueron obligados a seguir las órdenes egoístas de un poderoso líder, quien está dispuesto a destruirlo todo para restaurar lo que fue robado del ecosistema natural.

¡No se lo pierdan!

Y Recuerdan:  Las Aves Siempre Están Vigilando

En nuestro sitio web se publica una descripción completa del libro, las preguntas de discusión de la reunión, la información de inicio de sesión y todas las fechas y selecciones para todo el año académico 2023-2024.

Para obtener detalles sobre todas las fechas, horarios, selecciones y cómo iniciar sesión de nuestras reuniones, vaya a nuestra página de Próximos eventos.

¡Regístrese para recibir anuncios recordatorios en nuestra lista de correo!

Vea libros previamente seleccionados y preguntas de discusión en nuestro Archivo del Club de lectura NOAA Planet Stewards.

-----------------------------------------------

Tuesday, May 14, 2024 | 8 p.m. ET

At our final Book Club meeting of this academic year we’ll discuss Fen, Bog & Swamp: A Short History of Peatland Destruction and Its Role in the Climate Crisis

A lifelong acolyte of the natural world, Annie Proulx brings her witness and research to the subject of wetlands and the vitally important role they play in preserving the environment—by storing the carbon emissions that accelerate climate change. Fens, bogs, swamps, and marine estuaries are crucial to the earth’s survival, and in four illuminating parts, Proulx documents their systemic destruction in pursuit of profit.

In a vivid and revelatory journey through history, Proulx describes the fens of 16th-century England, Canada’s Hudson Bay lowlands, Russia’s Great Vasyugan Mire, and America’s Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge. She introduces the early explorers who launched the destruction of the Amazon rainforest, and writes of the diseases spawned in the wetlands—the Ague, malaria, Marsh Fever.

A sobering look at the degradation of wetlands over centuries and the serious ecological consequences, this is “an unforgettable and unflinching tour of past and present, fixed on a subject that could not be more important” (Bill McKibben)

Thinking about submitting a proposal to fund a stewardship project next year? Get inspired by Amy Brown’s work in Neoga, Illinois. Her students have just planted over 1000 trees on her school’s campus to reclaim its native habitat from the invasive Teasel plant and restore the area’s biodiversity. Watch it here!

Next, check out a video made by Laura Cumming’s students who are restoring native plants in  Kalaeokaunaʻoa, Hawai’i. The students are growing the plants in their school’s greenhouse and monitoring them in the field to see which of the species they are planting will thrive in that area of Hawai’i’s North Shore. Watch the video here!

At NOAA, #EarthDay isn’t just on April 22 –  it’s every day. Hear from NWS Director Ken Graham and other NOAA experts on:

• How marine sanctuaries protect local ecosystems.
• What ocean acoustics tell us about marine organisms.
• What it means to build a #WeatherReadyNation.
• How we can make our planet a better place through conservation, preservation and sustainability efforts.

PLUS: Test your lighthouse trivia knowledge and hear what scientists have learned 50 years after the 1974 Super Tornado Outbreak.

Listen now! Also available on Apple Podcasts.

The JOIDES Resolution (JR) is one of just a handful of vessels designed specifically to drill into the ocean floor for scientific research. The sediment cores of rock recovered from the ocean floor can be considered time machines, revealing secrets from Earth's past about geology, climate change, and the origins and extremes of life. The evidence these cores provide gives a vital foundation and real-world data for understanding key topics addressed in NGSS performance expectations.

During this event, participants will learn how to incorporate free JR resources into their curricula to make science real for their students. Attendees will take part in activities related to cores and microfossils, and will learn how to access resources including additional classroom activities and core replicas that can be borrowed for classroom use. Participants will come away with data-based resources that will get students engaged in real-world science.

Register now (registration closes soon) so don’t wait! A recording of the webinar is on the AGI YouTube Channel

Join NASA’s GPM mission team for a series of webinars to celebrate 10 years of Earth observations that have improved life around the globe and helped us better understand our water cycle.

The next webinar of the series will serve as preparation for Earth Day on Monday, April 22, with a discussion about how and why missions help us to better understand and protect our home planet. Learn how various stakeholders are helping to make NASA data available and accessible to decision-makers and find out how you can get involved in making a positive difference in improving life on Earth.

Sign up to attend.

The American Geosciences Institute invites you to join a free webinar that will offer insights into the challenges and solutions surrounding plastic pollution. During the event, presenters will be online to engage with the audience, answering questions and participating in discussions in the chat.

Register at the Breaking Down Microplastics page to be emailed the link to the webinar. The recording will also be available at the same link following the premiere.

Apply for the Inland Seas Education Association's 2024 Great Lakes Watershed Field Course (GLWFC), a 4-day free professional development experience for teachers from throughout the Great Lakes region in Suttons Bay, MI. Training in the course includes watershed and environmental concepts, place-based education and environmental education pedagogy, and curriculum development. Educators will learn how to engage students in local environmental issues, investigate solutions, devise a plan, and take action during this course. Inland Seas supports teachers as they implement their watershed-based stewardship action projects.

There is no cost for this experience, but space is limited to 21 participants. Interested educators can learn more and apply at the GLWFC webpage.

Monday, April 22, 2024 | 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. ET

Panelists from various research fields will share their work addressing research gaps on the impacts of climate change on health (e.g., heat, air pollution, mental health, maternal/reproductive health, health of older adults, food insecurity, climate migration), and communicating why their work is important to fill these gaps and informing what is needed for implementation at the clinical level, community/local level, etc.; and communicating what additional research is needed. See the full agenda and register to attend via this webpage.

Environmental justice and a just transition are critical to tackling the climate crisis and create a more equitable world for all. Yet, awareness of environmental justice is uneven and the concept applies differently in different circumstances. Join the National Academies and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences for a discussion about reconciling different understandings of environmental justice, the importance of community engagement in a just transition, and how centering environmental justice can accelerate implementation of climate-friendly policies.

Closed captioning will be provided. The conversation will include questions from the audience and will be recorded and available to view on the page after the event.  Register now.

Space is still available! Educators are invited to join a NOAA Ocean Exploration facilitator at one of our many Education Alliance Partners around the country for a full-day, in-person Exploring the Deep Ocean with NOAA professional development workshop. Together we’ll dive into the diverse reasons for why it is important to explore the ocean and the variety of tools and technologies that drive how we conduct expeditions in some of the most remote places on the planet.

Participating educators will receive a collection of classroom-ready resources to continue exploring the deep ocean with NOAA in their classrooms that includes student investigations, videos, fact sheets, and more. Additionally, educators that attend the full day, in-person workshop will receive a NOAA Ocean Exploration Certificate of Participation, and a $100 stipend.  Register now!

The Gloria Barron Prize annually honors 25 outstanding young leaders ages 8 to 18 who have made a significant positive difference to people and the environment. Fifteen top winners each receive $10,000 to support their service work or higher education. Encourage the young heroes you know to apply online by April 15th!

Young people are invited to apply by completing an online application. It includes an essay and three letters of recommendation, which references submit through our online platform. Many applicants also include supplemental materials such as links to their websites and social media pages.

Applicants can now access the 2024 online application and begin compiling their materials. Winners will be announced in late September.

Apply here!

Apply the engineering method and help your students become environmental stewards as you repurpose recyclables into seaworthy vessels! Master buoyancy, engineering, and physics obstacles to race your boat creations to victory.

The Recycle Regatta is a free, fun, hands-on competition for K-12 students to participate in from anywhere! Students build a model sailboat from recycled and repurposed materials and race to victory while discovering engineering, mathematics, sailing, buoyancy, and stewardship. Two awards will be given for each fleet, including the fastest and most creative vessels.

Young ocean advocates ages 15-22 from around the world are invited to apply for a position on the EarthEcho International Youth Leadership Council (YLC)! EarthEcho International is a non-profit organization, founded by Philippe Cousteau, dedicated to building a global youth movement to protect and restore our ocean planet. The YLC plays a key role leading EarthEcho’s programs while developing and implementing campaigns to mobilize young people worldwide to take ocean conservation action. Through this unique experience, members have an opportunity to grow as an environmental leader, gain an understanding of the operations of an international non-profit organization while shaping EarthEcho’s work and mission, and collaborate with peers to elevate youth voices in the conservation movement on a global stage.

In this virtual field trip, you will explore responsible forest management while learning about key science concepts related to ecosystems and environmental sustainability. You will examine the factors that create and maintain a healthy forest, including biodiversity, nutrient cycling, and ecological interactions. You will discuss the detrimental effects of deforestation and other human activities on forest ecosystems, gaining insights into conservation and environmental stewardship. Check out the virtual field trip.

Download a teaching guide to go along with this virtual field trip at Nature Lab.

There’s even this Kahoot! game to go along with the virtual field trip.