Value C - Conserve Energy & Natural Resources
“Human activity is putting such a strain on the natural functions of Earth that the ability of the planet’s ecosystem to sustain future generations can no longer be taken for granted.”
- Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (UN, 2001)
That’s the call from our esteemed scientists. The human activity they’re talking about is ours. We’re the 5% of the population that is using 30% of the world’s resources and creating 30% of the world’s waste! With opened eyes and understanding, we can choose to NOT be the generation that brought the planet down. We can use our commitment and creativity to conserve the energy and natural resources that still remain so that our planet can regenerate abundance for our children’s future.
Multimedia
EARTH BREATHING: Greenpeace.org: [earth breathing.wmv]
THRIST FOR WATER: Powerpoint illustrating what water means to us and our world. [Thirst_for_Water.PPS]
TAPPED: A film that examines the role of the bottled water industry and its effects on our health, climate change, pollution, and our reliance on oil. [Trailer 1] [Trailer 2]
Readings
ECOLOGICAL EXTINCTION AND EVOLUTION IN THE BRAVE NEW OCEAN: PNAS paper: PDF download [Water Conservation Foundation 2008.pdf]
Additional Explorations
Save Water
Research other ways to conserve water at home: www.davidsuzuki.org/NatureChallenge/newsletters
Research ways to water your lawn and garden more efficiently: www.nrcs.usda.gov/feature/highlights/homegarden/lawn.html
Research the history of lawns and reconsider your choices: www.organiclawncare101.com/history.html
Save Energy
For information on options available in BC, contact The Vancouver Renewable Energy Cooperative (VREC): www.recov.org
For articles on hot water and solar technologies, refer to the BC Sustainable Energy Association website: www.bcsea.org/learn/get-the-facts
Learn about carbon offsets: www.davidsuzuki.org/Climate_Change/What_You_Can_Do/
Transportation
Or see “Getting Started”, “7 Ways To Get Around”, and “It’s Your Business” from www.gogreen.com/choices
For suggestions on how to shrink your travel distance in your daily life, visit: www.davidsuzuki.org/NatureChallenge/What_is_it/Transportation/
Hybrids and electric car information: www.davidsuzuki.org/NatureChallenge/What_is_it/Transportation/
For detailed information about vehicle idling, visit the BC anti-idling campaign: www.idlefreebc.ca/