1. EARTH DAY CURRICULUM LINKS: Science 6
Outcome 2: Investigate actions that lead to reducing electrical energy consumption in the environment
Social Studies 7-9
Culture and Diversity: demonstrate an understanding of the interdependent relationship among individuals, societies, and the environment—locally, nationally, and globally—and the implications for a sustainable future

2. OUR EARTH 4.6 billion years old Rotates every 24 hours
Rotation around the sun creates a year of seasons
Tilted 23.4 degrees
Surface is 71% water
Unique planet
The Earth is our home planet and provides everything we need
Shared home with countless organisms still yet to be discovered
BLUE PLANET TRAILER FROM BBC:

3. WHEN IS EARTH DAY? Celebrate anywhere in the world
Care for the Earth every day of the year
Recognizing our truly unique home planet

4. EARTH DAY FACTS First celebrated in the US in 1970.
In 1990, celebrated by 200 million people in 141 participating countries
In 2000, included 5,000 environmental groups in 184 countries
Today 192 countries celebrate
Earth needs our consideration and protection
Waste Less
People Need Nature
Watch Conservation International’s video: “Nature is Speaking”

5. WHY IS EARTH DAY IMPORTANT?
Show support for the environment
Inspires action to help keep our planet healthy
Earth Day teaches us about the effects of human actions on the world
Seven billion people can support & celebrate Nature
We are all connected to nature
Helps us focus on being stewards of the Earth
VIDEO: UNEP “Seven Billion Dreams. One Planet. Consume with Care.”

6. CLIMATE CHANGE Recycling - non-existent 40 years ago
Energy efficient technology, such as LEDs 
Hybrid and electric cars
Renewable energy development
Policy changes (such as the Clean Air Act of 1970)
Global action to reduce GHGs: Paris Climate Accord (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change)

7. CLIMATE CHANGE EFFECTS
Recycling - non-existent 40 years ago
Energy efficient technology, such as LEDs 
Hybrid and electric cars
Renewable energy development
Policy changes (such as the Clean Air Act of 1970)
Global action to reduce GHGs: Paris Climate Accord (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change)

8. WHAT HAS COME FROM EARTH DAY?
Recycling
Energy efficient tech, LEDs 
Electric cars
Renewable energy development
Policy changes
Global action to reduce GHGs
Recycling - non-existent 40 years ago
Energy efficient technology, such as LEDs 
Hybrid and electric cars
Renewable energy development
Policy changes (such as the Clean Air Act of 1970)
Global action to reduce GHGs: Paris Climate Accord (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change)

9. HOW CAN WE CELEBRATE EARTH DAY?
Small actions lead to larger actions, and inspire others to act.
CELEBRATE ALL WEEK WITH THEMED ACTION DAYS (Following slides)
VIDEO FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS by Prince Ea, “Man Vs Earth”:
Brainstorm:
Wear a sweater and turn down the heat at school
Turn off the lights (candlelight, necessary lights only)
Waste Less (energy, water, plastic)
Plant a tree (carbon sequestration & oxygen production)
Sort waste properly, start a vermicompost (Waste Less)
Go birdwatching/appreciate nature
Visit the wildlife park or go for a nature walk
Carpool, walk, or bike to school
Teach others about how to help the Earth
Make a pledge to help the Earth:
Grow a micro-garden:
Have a litterless lunch:
Nature scavenger hunt:

10. LIGHTS OUT FOR THE EARTH
Open the blinds
Use natural light
Turn off unnecessary lights
CELEBRATE ALL WEEK WITH THEMED ACTION DAYS:
Simple actions can have a big impact, especially when the whole school community participates.
Try hosting a competition to motivate different classrooms. Enlist Green Spies to do Classroom Checks to see when lights are turned off and reward the classrooms that reduce the most energy waste.
Classroom Checks Support Package:

11. SWEATER DAY Turn down the heat 2 degrees
Stay cozy in your favourite sweater
CELEBRATE ALL WEEK WITH THEMED ACTION DAYS:
When the weather is cold, we need to dress appropriately.
Save energy by turning down the heat and turning up the fun with crazy sweater themes!

12. LITTERLESS LUNCH Make a lunch without any packaging Avoid food waste
CELEBRATE ALL WEEK WITH THEMED ACTION DAYS:
Lunches that do not send waste to the landfill are known as Litterless Lunches.
Packaging is waste that is produced for a single purpose: to go to the landfill.
Plastic often ends up in the ocean by travelling through the wind or water.
When we buy less packaged food, we save energy and help the Earth.

13. GET OUTSIDE & EARTH DAY PLEDGE
Spend at least 30 minutes outside
Promise to make a change to help the Earth
CELEBRATE ALL WEEK WITH THEMED ACTION DAYS:
Enjoy fresh air and exercise outdoors, no matter the weather!
Dress appropriately for the weather and get creative with games, performances, sports, and more!
Pledge to make choices that reduce human impacts.

14. WEAR GREEN & POWER DOWN Wear green to show support for the Earth
Power down on Friday
CELEBRATE ALL WEEK WITH THEMED ACTION DAYS:
Celebrate our home planet by wearing green (or maybe you will choose to all wear BLUE for the ocean!)
Reduce phantom power by ending the week with a tour of the school to shut down all electronics.

15. WHAT WILL YOU DO THIS EARTH DAY?
From appreciate of the microscopic to the huge collective actions that define an era, Earth Day is a time for action.
Steer the discussion about individual actions into the Earth Day Pledge Activity (next slide) or the activity of your choice.
WHAT WILL YOU DO THIS EARTH DAY?

16. TAKE ACTION FOR THE EARTH!
Customize this slide to suit your accompanying activity (For larger school initiatives, see the Green Schools NS support packages: Lights Off Monday, Phantom Friday, WasteLess Wednesday, Classroom Checks, Schoolyard & Roadside Cleanup, Bike Rodeo, Energy Monster, etc)
Make your promise to the Earth
Keep your promise by saving it until next year to see how you did

17. THANK YOU! www.greenschoolsns.ca Efficiency NS: 1-877-999-6035
CURRICULUM LINKS
Grade 6 Science
demonstrate how Earth’s rotation causes the day and night cycle and how Earth’s revolution causes the yearly cycle of seasons