It's Up to You and Me, Here and Across the Sea

IT’S UP TO

YOU & ME

HERE &THEACROSS

Produced by the Transatlantic Outreach Program A Public / Private Partnership

It’s Up to You and Me: Here and Across the Sea

IT’S UP TO

YOU & ME

HERE &THEACROSS Produced by the Transatlantic Outreach Program A Public / Private Partnership

www.goethe.de/top

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It’s Up to You and Me: Here and Across the Sea

These materials may be reproduced by teachers and school systems for classroom use. Please provide a complete citation of the source(s) when duplicating for other purposes. Please refer to the Works Cited List on the page 50 of this document for more information.

Editors: Stefan Brunner, Wood Powell, Kelsey Smith, Goethe-Institut Washington Concept by Robert V. Jervis Joann Farrish Prewitt Graphics and Layout: Howard Wright, www.howdesignworks.net Copyright 2009 Goethe-Institut Washington Transatlantic Outreach Program 812 Seventh Street NW Washington, DC 20001-3718 www.goethe.de/top top@washington.goethe.org Tel: (202) 289-1200 Fax: (202) 289-3535

It’s Up to You and Me: Here and Across the Sea

TA B L E O F C O N T E N T S : INTRODUCTION

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Meet Alicia, Moritz, Dr. Blume and Dr. Davis

PART ONE

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Understand the Causes and Effects of Global Warming and Climate Change

PART TWO

25

Recognize Why Everyone in the World Needs to be Concerned About the Problem and Learn about the Kyoto Protocol

PART THREE Identify What Countries All Over the World, Like the USA and Germany, are Doing to Help Solve These Problems

PART FOUR Discover What Actions We All Can Take at Home and at School to Help Solve the Problem

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It’s Up to You and Me: Here and Across the Sea

It’s Up to You and Me: Here and Across the Sea

Hey, have you seen those new, funny looking cars driving around?

They look so tiny! But aren’t they cool?

Ever wonder why you’re starting to see more and more small cars like this? Why now?

Well, it’s a long story that begins with our environment.

Something seems to be going wrong, and we need the best “brains” to help figure out what to do about global warming and climate change.

Are you up to the challenge?

But no worries. You’re going to have some help! The environment is a global issue and everyone needs to be concerned about it. So, we have asked some friends to help us talk about the problem. They are as concerned as we are about the environment.

Let me introduce them to you! They’re having an online chat right now and learning how they can make a difference in their communities. You never know, together we might discover some solutions and become partners in saving the environment.

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It’s Up to You and Me: Here and Across the Sea

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Meet Moritz!

Moritz is a boy who lives in Munich, Germany. He is about your age.

Moritz loves to play Fussball (you may know that sport by the name “soccer”) in the grassy fields near where he lives. Moritz loves the outdoors and loves to go camping and hiking in the nearby Alps.

Do you know where Germany is? Can you locate Munich on a map of Germany? Hint: where are the tall mountains in Germany?

Baltic Sea

North Sea

NETHERLANDS

Berlin

POL.

BELG.

LUX.

CZECH REPUBLIC

FRANCE

B

AV

AR

THE ALPS

SWITZERLAND

IA

AUSTRIA

It’s Up to You and Me: Here and Across the Sea

?

Can you locate the U.S. state of Colorado on a map?

Can you locate the city of Denver? What geographic features do Denver and Munich have in common?

MONTANA NORTH DAKOTA

IDAHO

SOUTH DAKOTA

RO CK

WYOMING

Y MO

NEBRASKA

UN

DA

TA INS

UTAH

KANSAS COLORADO

OKLAHOMA

ARIZONA NEW MEXICO TEXAS

And now let me introduce you to Alicia.

She is also about the same age as you and Moritz. Alicia lives in a small town near Denver, Colorado. Alicia loves her cat and volunteers to take care of her neighbor’s dogs when they go out of town. She even dreams of being a veterinarian some day!

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10 It’s Up to You and Me: Here and Across the Sea

Dr. Tobias Blume. Tobias is an engineer who works for a windmill manufacturer in Germany. He designs many of the electricity-producing windmills that you see in the USA, Germany, and all over the world!

It’s Up to You and Me: Here and Across the Sea

Finally, let’s meet Dr. Michelle Davis. Michelle is an environmental science professor who teaches at the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, Georgia. When not in the laboratory, she likes to volunteer at the local Atlanta Botanical Gardens where she studies all sorts of exotic plant life.

We are all going to work together to…

•

Understand the causes and effects of global warming and climate change.

•

Recognize why everyone in the world needs to be concerned about the problem and learn about the Kyoto Protocol.

•

Identify what countries all over the world, like the USA and Germany, are doing to help solve these problems.

•

Discover what actions we all can take at home and at school to help solve the problem.

So, what are we waiting for? Let’s get started!

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It’s Up to You and Me: Here and Across the Sea

PART ONE

Understand the Causes and Effects of Global Warming and Climate Change

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14 It’s Up to You and Me: Here and Across the Sea Online Chat

“Hallo! Wie geht’s?

Whoops, let’s try that again in English…

Hello! How’s it going?

It’s such an awesome day here in Munich! I’m just finishing up my homework and enjoying the sun.”

MORITZ

“Hi, I love the outdoors, too! I especially love it on clear days when the air is crisp.

We are studying about the environment in school. But, it looks like our environment is in über trouble! We’re learning what we can do about it.

I hope we can learn a lot from each other and become partners in helping to save the environment.”

ALICIA

“I hope so, too.

Want me to tell you a story?

My grandfather raises bees in the German state of Brandenburg, and he told me a story about how the ecology of bees is changing.”

MORITZ

DEFINITION

ALERT

ECOLOGY:

the interrelationship of organisms and their environments

“Cool! I’d love to hear your story. I’ve heard that the bees all over the world are in trouble!”

ALICIA

PART 1 Understand the Causes and Effects of Global Warming and Climate Change

It’s Up to You and Me: Here and Across the Sea

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It’s a small world! And, it’s even smaller for a honeybee. Honeybees are hard workers. Their mission is to gather pollen to take back to the hive where it is turned into honey.

On a summer’s day, you can watch them go from flower to flower.

But what if you were a honeybee and one day you noticed that there were fewer and fewer bees? Even worse, what if you noticed that some of your friends never returned to the hive and the number of bees in the hive was decreasing?

Wouldn’t that be a scary feeling?

That’s what was happening in Brandenburg, Germany. Beekeepers reported that millions of honeybees were dying for no apparent reason. Something in the environment was killing them. In some cases, two-thirds of their bees had died in just one month.

German scientists were alarmed and began investigating. They wanted to stop the bees from dying before there were no more bees left. They knew that without the honeybee, life on this planet would be very different. Honeybees not only produce honey, but by spreading pollen from one plant to another, they ensure that these plants will continue to thrive. Without the honeybee, our food chain would be dramatically compromised.

The scientists discovered that a pesticide called clothianidin was responsible for the deaths of the honeybees. The Federal Office of Consumer Protection and Food Safety banned the use of the pesticide.

Sa But just like the honeybees, scientists all over the world are warning humans that we are also in danger from substances in our own environment. We need to take action to protect ourselves. 1

PART 1 Understand the Causes and Effects of Global Warming and Climate Change

16 It’s Up to You and Me: Here and Across the Sea Online Chat

“So, the world could be changing for humans, too!”

ALICIA

“Yes, it could be. Many people may not know that scientists are hard at work all over the world trying to find the answers to some very important questions about our own environment.”

DR. BLUME

BRAINSTORM #1 Understanding the causes and effects of global warming and climate change.

Why are climate change and other environmental concerns worldwide issues?

What evidence is there that our climate is changing?

What are some other consequences of climate change you can think of?

Online Chat

“Wow. Those are some difficult questions!

What is causing these warmer temperatures?”

ALICIA “Scientists all over the world now believe that global warming is the cause of temperature change.”

DR. DAVIS

PART 1 Understand the Causes and Effects of Global Warming and Climate Change

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Online Chat

Sun

Solar radiation powers the earth’s climate system

The Greenhouse Effect Greenhouse gases and burned fossil fuels create a barrier which warms the atmosphere and the earth’s surface

About half of the solar radiation is absorbed by the earth’s surface and also warms it Some solar radiation is reflected by earth and the atmosphere

ATMOS

PH

Infrared radiation is emitted from the earth’s surface with some escaping and some returning to earth

ER

E

“Does the greenhouse effect we heard about have something to do with global warming?”

ALICIA

GREENHOUSE EFFECT DEFINITION

ALERT

The change in the temperature of a planet by the presence of an atmosphere containing gas that absorbs and emits infrared radiation.

PART 1 Understand the Causes and Effects of Global Warming and Climate Change

18 It’s Up to You and Me: Here and Across the Sea Online Chat

“Yes, but the ‘greenhouse effect’ is necessary and can be a good thing. We could not live here on Earth without the greenhouse effect. It would be too cold. Our atmosphere acts like a greenhouse and traps these ‘greenhouse gases’ to make our planet warm enough for us to live on.

DR. BLUME Our earth is a great place to live because of the greenhouse effect. Plants absorb carbon dioxide (CO2) when they grow in spring and summer and release it back to the atmosphere when they decay and die in fall and winter.

But having just the right amount of greenhouse gases in our atmosphere, like carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, and methane, is a delicate balance – too little and we get too cold, too much and we get too warm.”

“And, right now, we are starting to get too much CO2! Scientists think that since the Industrial Revolution we have started to add too many greenhouse gases to the atmosphere and the balance is getting tilted toward heating up the environment.”

Web Browser

RESEARCH EXERCISE: Use the research tools at your disposal to learn about the Industrial Revolution. These tools may include other textbooks, library books, encyclopedias, and Internet-based resources like Google.

PART 1 Understand the Causes and Effects of Global Warming and Climate Change

Photo of Industry

DR. DAVIS

It’s Up to You and Me: Here and Across the Sea

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Online Chat

“I am sure that too much exhaust from cars doesn’t help!”

ALICIA

“Now, let’s look at the evidence around us that the environment is changing and what these changes might mean.”

DR. DAVIS

“Climate change is definitely taking place. The earth is getting warmer and these climate changes are worrisome.

All we have to do is look around us.

DR. BLUME

More than 100 cold-dependent species are in trouble. Polar bears have started dropping in numbers and weight and emperor penguin populations have shrunk by a factor of 30 in some areas.” 2

PART 1 Understand the Causes and Effects of Global Warming and Climate Change

20 It’s Up to You and Me: Here and Across the Sea Online Chat

DR. BLUME

“A record amount of Greenland’s ice sheet melted last summer -- 19 o billion tons more than the previous high mark. And for the first time on record, the Northwest Passage was open to navigation.”

2

“Studies show that 2005 was the warmest year since reliable, widespread instrumental measurements became available in the late 1800s, exceeding the previous record set in 1998.” 3

PART 1 Understand the Causes and Effects of Global Warming and Climate Change

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Online Chat

DR. BLUME

“Some 4 million acres of mature trees in Alaska have been killed by spruce bark beetles. Scientists believe that warmer temperatures have allowed these beetles to breed and mature twice as fast as normal.” 2

“Bleached coral reefs that protect coastal areas and harbor some of the most colorful life on Earth are dying prematurely because of warming ocean waters and higher levels of carbon dioxide.” 2

PART 1 Understand the Causes and Effects of Global Warming and Climate Change

22 It’s Up to You and Me: Here and Across the Sea Online Chat

“Mont-Blanc, Europe’s highest peak, lies in the French Alps. A University of Innsbruck study suggests that due to an average 3 percent decrease in Alpine ice, glaciers in the Alps will melt away by 2050.” 2

DR. BLUME

“It’s not just the French Alps! I’ve seen pictures of the Alps here in Germany, and my parents told me that the snow was much deeper when they were my age! In fact, we have to go higher and higher up the mountains to go sledding every winter. And some of the ski slopes at lower elevations don’t even get snow anymore!”

MORITZ

“Ganz genau…I mean, quite right, Moritz! According to the Center for Climate Systems Research, in most places in the Northern Hemisphere, the weather is getting warmer, and winters are getting shorter and less extreme.

DR. BLUME

The earth’s average temperature is definitely increasing. This is a real concern to scientists because climate change means changes in rainfall patterns, a rise in sea levels from melting ice, and changes to plants, wildlife and humans.”

PART 1 Understand the Causes and Effects of Global Warming and Climate Change

It’s Up to You and Me: Here and Across the Sea

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ACTIVITY #1: Using an external resource like the CIA World Fact Book, complete the information about each country on the following chart: Sweden

Mexico

China

USA

Germany

Japan

Percentage of total surface area on Earth

Percentage of world population

Economic strength (per capita GDP)

CO2 Emissions (total)

CO2 Emissions (per capita)

What conclusions can you draw from the information in the above table?

PART thethe Causes andand Effects of of Global Warming andand Climate Change PART1 1 Understand Understand Causes Effects Global Warming Climate Change

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It’s Up to You and Me: Here and Across the Sea

PART TWO Recognize Why Everyone in the World Needs to be Concerned About the Problem and Learn about the Kyoto Protocol

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26 It’s Up to You and Me: Here and Across the Sea Online Chat

“Okay, just by looking around us and listening to other people, we know there is a problem. We even have some ideas about what may be causing it.

DR. BLUME

Who creates the pollution? Do these environmental issues affect you?

The United States? Germany? The entire world? If the entire world is involved in creating pollution, who has the responsibility to solve the problem?”

“We are not alone on Earth. In fact, there are some 6.7 BILLION people living on earth as of 2008, of which about 306 million live in the United States. Everyone is impacted by what happens on this planet. Keeping our planet safe is a global responsibility.”

“It’s sort of like the neighborhood park, right?

Everybody who uses the park is responsible for keeping it clean and for maintaining it.”

MORITZ

PART 2 Recognize Why Everyone in the World Needs to be Concerned about the Problem and Learn about the Kyoto Protocol

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Online Chat

I remember not too long ago having fun along the stream near my local park. Normally the water flows briskly and is crisp and clear until one day I noticed something wrong. The water became stagnant. Over a short period of time, the water changed color and started to smell funny. I noticed an icky, oily substance on the surface of the water.

MORITZ

BRAINSTORM #2 •

How would you react if this happened to a stream in your neighborhood?

•

Would you attempt to solve the problem on your own? If so, how?

•

If you couldn’t solve the problem on your own, would you ask your friends and parents for help?

•

Would you contact the police or fire department? Can you think of any other organizations that could help?

PART 2 Recognize Why Everyone in the World Needs to be Concerned about the Problem and Learn about the Kyoto Protocol

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Web Browser

RESEARCH EXERCISE: Do you know what the letters EPA stand for?

Do you know where your nearest EPA office is located? Find these answers by visiting the web site www.epa.gov.

Online Chat

“I tried my best to clean up the oily stuff with a bucket, but there was too much, and it never seemed to go away. Mama and papa saw the whole mess and they told me it could be dangerous, so we called the local environmental protection office in Munich.”

MORITZ

“And then what happened?”

DR. DAVIS

MORITZ

“The experts discovered that an oil tank from a nearby factory was leaking into the stream. The company immediately agreed to fix the tank and gave the community money to clean the stream and the park. It was really cool to see hundreds of us there, cleaning everything up! We all worked together.”

PART 2 Recognize Why Everyone in the World Needs to be Concerned about the Problem and Learn about the Kyoto Protocol

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Online Chat

“Fantastisch, Moritz! If it wasn’t for you, then perhaps the problem would have never been solved. And it takes a mature and brave person to do what you did, to realize the problem was bigger than you and you needed help.

This is very similar to what industrialized countries of the world are doing right now. They are seeing the effects of warming around the globe.”

DR. BLUME

“What is happening? Are the countries of the world starting to do something about saving our environment? Are we working together to come up with a common solution?”

ALICIA

“Yes they are! Have you ever heard of the Kyoto Protocol?

The Kyoto Protocol was adopted in Kyoto, Japan, on December 11, 1997 and went into effect on February 16, 2005. Some 183 nations have ratified the treaty as of 2008.”

DR. BLUME

“What does it do?

What are the goals of the Protocol?

Has the United States agreed to the Protocol?”

ALICIA

PART 2 Recognize Why Everyone in the World Needs to be Concerned about the Problem and Learn about the Kyoto Protocol

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“Those are some great questions, Alicia!

•

The Kyoto Protocol is an international agreement linked to the United Nations’ policies on climate change.

•

The major feature of the Kyoto Protocol is that it sets binding targets for industrialized countries for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

•

The agreement recognizes that developed countries are principally responsible for the current high levels of GHG emissions in the atmosphere as a result of more than 150 years of industrial activity.

•

The Protocol places a heavier burden on developed countries to do more to clean up the environment.” 4

DR. BLUME

“To answer your last question, Alicia, the United States has not signed the Protocol as of 2008. But that does not at all mean that the United States is not concerned about the environment.

For example, look at what these states are doing: •

Texas has added more than 4,000 megawatts of wind power generating capacity in the last decade. Wind power now produces about 3 percent of Texas’ electricity, enough to avoid about 8 million metric tons of global warming pollution per year.

•

New Jersey doubled its solar power generating capacity within just two years through aggressive public policies that promote solar panels on rooftops in the Garden State.

•

California uses 20 percent less energy per capita than it did in 1975, thanks to strong energy efficiency policies for buildings and appliances.

•

Wisconsin avoids about 200,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide pollution per year through its innovative programs to promote energy efficiency in industry – programs that also help save businesses money and keep jobs within the state.

•

Portland, Oregon, has doubled the number of bicyclists on city streets in just six years through investments in bicycle infrastructure and bike-friendly transportation policies. The percentage of people who bike to work in Portland is now eight times the national average.” ”

DR. DAVIS

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PART 2 Recognize Why Everyone in the World Needs to be Concerned about the Problem and Learn about the Kyoto Protocol

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ACTIVITY #2: The Kyoto Treaty • • •

Conduct additional research about the Kyoto Treaty.

Can you list three positive and three negative consequences of the Kyoto Treaty? (See table below.)

Would you encourage or discourage nations to ratify the Kyoto Treaty? Why or why not?

POSITIVE

NEGATIVE

1

1

2

2

3

3

PART 2 Recognize Why Everyone in the World Needs to be Concerned about the Problem and Learn about the Kyoto Protocol

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It’s Up to You and Me: Here and Across the Sea

PART THREE Identify What Countries All Over the World, Like the USA and Germany, are Doing to Help Solve These Problems

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“Wow, those states are doing some great work!

Moritz, what is Germany doing to solve the problem of climate change?”

ALICIA

“Well, I am not too sure about what the government is doing, but I have seen some changes here in Munich.

Here are some of the things I have noticed: •

Most public trashcans have four separate compartments for paper, glass, packaging, and everything else.

•

More and more of our neighbors have installed solar panels on their roofs.

•

When I ride the train, I can see new windmills all over the countryside.

•

Many of my friends ride their bikes to school.

•

My parents use a lot of those new, funnylooking, energy-saving light bulbs.

Dr. Blume, perhaps you can help me answer Alicia’s question.”

PART 3 Identify What Countries All Oer the World, like the USA and Germany, are doing to help solve these problems

MORITZ

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BRAINSTORM #3 •

What technologies are you aware of that are being developed to reduce global warming?

•

Have you observed any of these new technologies in your community?

•

Can you match the following “green” technologies with the appropriate geographic feature?

• Windmills • Solar • Geothermal • Hydro-electric

Online Chat

“Sehr gut, Moritz! Those are all very good observations.

Perhaps I can tell you in a little more detail about how certain ‘green’ technologies are being used in Germany.”

DR. BLUME

PART 3 Identify What Countries All Oer the World, like the USA and Germany, are doing to help solve these problems

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“WIND ENERGY

DR. BLUME

•

The United States and Germany are the two leading nations in terms of number of windmills as of 2008.

•

Germany and the USA plan to install even more windmills as the two countries strive to harness offshore wind currents, for example in the North Sea and Pacific Ocean.”

Installed Wind Power Capacity (2007)

Rank

Country

Power in Megawatts

1

Germany

22,247

2

United States

16,818

3

Spain

15,145

4

India

8,000

5

China

6,050

6

PART 3 Identify What Countries All Oer the World, like the USA and Germany, are doing to help solve these problems

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Online Chat

“BIOFUELS

DR. BLUME

•

Around 1 in 8 gas stations in Germany offer Biodiesel.

•

In 2007, around 5.2% of the gas sold in Germany was Biofuel.”

DEFINITION

ALERT

BIOFUELS A fuel composed or produced from biological raw materials.

PART 3 Identify What Countries All Oer the World, like the USA and Germany, are doing to help solve these problems

38 It’s Up to You and Me: Here and Across the Sea Online Chat

“SOLAR

DR. BLUME

•

In, 2006, Germany generated half of the world’s solar electric power.

•

Of the 20 largest solar-panel manufacturers, 15 are located in Germany.

•

German exports accounted for 15% of worldwide sales of solar panels in 2007.” 7

PART 3 Identify What Countries All Oer the World, like the USA and Germany, are doing to help solve these problems

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Online Chat

“The Reichstag, the building that houses the German federal parliament, is a great example of how these technologies are combined to serve the public good.

Germany’s parliament building is designed to make the most of natural light and the flow of air. Electricity and heat are provided by biofuel generators in the basement. The excess heat is then stored in great underground chasms to warm the buildings during winter — when cold from the outdoors is stored underground to cool the building again in summer. The Reichstag, originally built in the 19th century, now gets 60% of its power from renewable energy, and if all goes to plan will soon run entirely on renewables.” ”

DR. BLUME

9

“Wow, that is some impressive progress! I found some information too about how change is happening in the United States. We just do things a little differently.”

ALICIA

PART 3 Identify What Countries All Oer the World, like the USA and Germany, are doing to help solve these problems

40 It’s Up to You and Me: Here and Across the Sea Online Chat

“Quite right, Alicia.

While more and more is happening at the national level, much is being done already at the local and state levels by concerned people and businesses!

DR. DAVIS

For example, I was just in New York City recently and saw this new amazing billboard. Have you ever seen Times Square with all its colorful lights? Ever wondered how much energy it takes to power all of those lights?

Well, the Ricoh Americas Corporation has decided to make a billboard that is completely powered by wind and solar energy.

PART 3 Identify What Countries All Oer the World, like the USA and Germany, are doing to help solve these problems

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Online Chat

By generating its own electricity — enough to light six homes for a year — the sign could save as much as $12,000 to $15,000 per month, according to Ricoh, which estimated that the sign would ” prevent 18 tons of carbon from being spewed into the air yearly.”

8 DR. DAVIS

“What happens at night or if there is no wind? Won’t the billboard go dark?”

ALICIA

“That is indeed a possibility, Alicia. Even though this particular sign is capable of storing energy for four days with no wind or solar power, the company is perfectly willing to take this risk if it means a cleaner, more efficient environment for everyone.”

DR. DAVIS

PART 3 Identify What Countries All Oer the World, like the USA and Germany, are doing to help solve these problems

42 It’s Up to You and Me: Here and Across the Sea Online Chat

DR. BLUME

“Wow, that’s pretty innovative. I had not heard of that, Dr. Davis. I know of another initiative in California that is similar. A friend of mine who is a professor at Stanford University volunteers for Grid Alternatives, a non-profit organization that installs solar energy systems on the homes of low-income residents. Families using these solar energy systems have seen their electric bills fall by about 75%!” 9

Used with permission from Grid Alternatives, Oakland, California.

“That volunteer work reminds me of when I helped my parents build a house for Habitat for Humanity earlier this year! I wonder what I can do to help the environment!”

ALICIA

Used with permission from the University of Notre Dame Alumni Association, Notre Dame, Indiana.

PART 3 Identify What Countries All Oer the World, like the USA and Germany, are doing to help solve these problems

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ACTIVITY #3: News Headlines Use print or online resources to find three news headlines pertaining to the environment. You should find headlines from one local, one national, and one international source.

1. Local Headline: Synopsis of Local Article Who: What: Where: When:

2. National Headline: Synopsis of National Article Who: What: Where: When:

3. International Headline: Synopsis of International Article Who: What: Where: When: What, if anything, do these articles have in common? What conclusions can you draw?

Bonus: Do any of your classmates speak a foreign language? If so, use their help to extend your research to non-English language newspapers.

PART 3 Identify What Countries All Oer the World, like the USA and Germany, are doing to help solve these problems

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It’s Up to You and Me: Here and Across the Sea

PART FOUR Discover What Actions We All Can Take at Home and at School to Help Solve the Problem

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46 It’s Up to You and Me: Here and Across the Sea Online Chat

“So far, we’ve learned a whole bunch about the causes and effects of global warming and what nations and communities are doing about it. But what can kids like me do to help the environment?

Hey Moritz, perhaps we can brainstorm on what each of us can do?”

ALICIA

“Great idea, Alicia” MORITZ

BRAINSTORM #4 • • •

In what ways do you impact the environment?

What groups at school or in your community are actively trying to reduce global warming?

What personal lifestyle changes do you think you could make to decrease your impact on the environment?

Online Chat “Wow. Those are some tough questions. Perhaps one way to begin would be to work with your classmates to develop a classroom ‘Contract with the Environment.’

DR. DAVIS

Alicia: Why don’t you concentrate on the subjects of transportation and home life? For example, is there more than one way for you to get to school? At home, do you always remember to turn off the lights when you leave a room?”

“Moritz: Why don’t you concentrate on the subjects of what we throw away and school life? For example, do you have a recycle bin at home? What about in your school’s cafeteria?”

PART 4 Discover What Actions We Can All Take at Home and at School to Help Solve the Problem

DR. BLUME

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ACTIVITY #4: • • •

•

Visit the web site, www.zerofootprintkids.com Using this web site, can you calculate your carbon footprint?

What can you do to reduce your carbon footprint?

HOME

SCHOOL

TRANSPORTATION

RECYCLING

What is your new carbon footprint after making these changes?

CARBON FOOTPRINT DEFINITION

ALERT

A measure of the impact that human activities have on the environment in terms of the amount of greenhouse gases produced,, measured in units of carbon dioxide. 11

Meet with your fellow classmates to discuss what they did to decrease their carbon footprint. Next, develop a “Contract with the Environment” containing the top ten changes your classroom can make as a whole to decrease its carbon footprint.

PART 4 Discover What Actions We Can All Take at Home and at School to Help Solve the Problem PART 4 Discover What Actions We Can All Take at Home and at School to Help Solve the Problem

48 It’s Up to You and Me: Here and Across the Sea Online Chat

“Might I suggest some of the changes my family and I have made?

•

If the weather is good enough, I ride my bike or walk to work.

•

If the weather is bad, I try to take public transportation instead of driving my car.

•

I installed a water-saving showerhead in my bathroom and even try to take shorter showers instead of baths.

•

I wash my clothes with cold water and even air dry them when possible instead of using a dryer.

•

I have recycle bins for paper, plastics, and glass.

•

I always turn off the water when brushing my teeth.

•

I turn off the lights when exiting a room.

•

I installed fluorescent light bulbs to replace the incandescent ones.

•

I buy recycled products when possible, like recycled paper towels.

•

I use recycled paper and glass products instead of plastics.”

DR. BLUME

PART 4 Discover What Actions We Can All Take at Home and at School to Help Solve the Problem

It’s Up to You and Me: Here and Across the Sea

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Online Chat

“I sure am glad I’m not the only one who has been making lots of changes lately!

I’ve got a few ideas as well:

•

I have reduced my consumption of soft drinks and bottled water because of all the plastic.

•

I bring my lunch to work in a lunchbox instead of in a paper bag.

•

I started a compost pile in my backyard.

•

I turn off and unplug my computer and TV when not using them.

•

I buy earth-friendly cleaning agents and detergents.

•

I properly recycle my ‘e-waste’ like my old computer, cell phone, MP3 player, batteries, and other electronics.

•

I planted a few extra trees in my front yard.

•

I try not to turn on the air conditioning or heat. Instead, I wear t-shirts and shorts in the summer and sweaters in the winter.

•

I close the blinds/curtains when it is sunny outside in summer and open them when it’s sunny outside in winter.”

DR. DAVIS

PART 4 Discover What Actions We Can All Take at Home and at School to Help Solve the Problem

50 It’s Up to You and Me: Here and Across the Sea Online Chat

“Wow, I never knew there were so many things I could do at home and at school to reduce my impact on the environment.”

MORITZ

“These are a lot of great ideas. I also learned about two great web sites from our school’s environmental club. Check them out: http://www.nrdc.org/GREENSQUAD http://www.climateclassroom.org”

ALICIA

“Thanks for those web sites, Alicia. I will definitely have to check them out!

By the way, good job on joining the environmental club.

That is certainly a step in the right direction.”

DR. BLUME

“Taking small steps is what it is all about. Before too long, you look back and realize you have made a lot of progress.

As Moritz taught us with his experience at his local park, helping the environment requires a series of actions and changes, both by individuals and communities working together.

The same is true for individual countries cooperating within the world community.”

“Like Germany and the United States?”

MORITZ

PART 4 Discover What Actions We Can All Take at Home and at School to Help Solve the Problem

DR. DAVIS

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Online Chat

Exactly! As we’ve learned, climate change is a problem for all nations and it is everyone’s responsibility to contribute to the solution.

We’ve learned that the United States and Germany are similar countries with similar problems and are both working hard to decrease global warming, be it in different and creative ways.

DR. DAVIS The most important thing is that we all keep an open mind to new solutions and realize that any action, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant, can make a difference!

PART 4 Discover What Actions We Can All Take at Home and at School to Help Solve the Problem

52 It’s Up to You and Me: Here and Across the Sea

WORKS CITED 1.

Benjamin, Alison. “Pesticides: Germany Bans Chemicals Linked to Honeybee Devastation.” The Guardian. 23 May 2008. <http://www.guardian.co.uk>.

2.

“The Effects of Global Warming.” go350ppm.org. Global Warming Issue Volume 1 No. 8 (August 2008): 3-7. <http://www.go335ppm.org>.

3.

Hansen, James E.; et al. “GISS Surface Temperature Analysis, Global Temperature Trends: 2005 Summation”. NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies. 12 January 2006. <http://data.giss.nasa.gov/>.

4.

United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. (1997). Kyoto Protocol. Bonn, Germany. <http://unfccc.int>.

5.

Davis, M., Figdor, E., Sargent, R. (June 2008). “Global Warming Solutions that Work: Cutting-Edge Efforts to Curb Global Warming Pollution and the Lessons they Hold for America.” Environmental America. <http://www.environmentamerica.org/>.

6.

”Global Installed Wind Power Capacity (MW) - Regional Distribution, End 2007.”

Global Wind Energy Council. 5 November 2008. <http://www.gwec.net/>.

7.

Renewables Made in Germany. German Energy Agency. 5 November 2008. <http://www.renewables-made-in-germany.com/>.

8.

Collins, Glenn. “In Times Square, a Company’s Name in (Wind- and Solar-Powered) Lights.” The New York Times 15 November 2008 New York ed: A18.

9.

”Volunteers Help Bring Solar Power to Low-Income Residents.” Wecansolveit.org. <http://www.wecansolveit.org/content/story/solar_energy_savings/>.

10.

Blue, Laura/Schwandorf. “Lessons From Germany.” Time.com. 5 November 2008. <http://www.time.com>.

11.

”What Is A Carbon Footprint?” Carbonfootprint.com. 5 November 2008. <http://www.carbonfootprint.com/>.

It’s Up to You and Me: Here and Across the Sea

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FURTHER READING The German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, and Nuclear Safety (BMU) produces its own array of English-language textbooks for international distribution.

Currently available titles include, “Biological Diversity,” “Climate Protection and Climate Policy,” “Renewable Energies,” and “Water in the 21st Century.”

Each textbook is designed for middle and secondary educators and contains fun learning exercises, background information for teachers, and “competence check” evaluation material.

To download the textbooks in electronic format, visit the BMU directly at www.bmu.de or visit the TOP web site at www.goethe.de/top and click on “Green Education” from under the “Teaching Materials” main menu option.

Biological Diversity Theme: The Importance of protecting species diversity.

Renewable Energies Theme: Explores future sources of energy.

Topics: • Species Diversity Worldwide • National Parks & Biosphere Reserves • High-Tech from Nature

Topics: • Lifestyle and energy consumption • Renewable energies worldwide • Fuels of the Future

Climate Protection and Climate Policy Theme: The consequences of climate change.

Water is the 21st Century Theme: How much water do we really need?

Topics: • The climate journey through time • Where do emissions come from?

• Climate protection and climate policy in Germany & worldwide

Topics: • A river is more than just water • The water of the earth • Is there enough water for everyone?

To learn more about how the United States and Europe are working together to address the common challenges of climate change and energy security, visit the Transatlantic Climate Bridge web site at www.transatlantic-climate-bridge.org.

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54 It’s Up to You and Me: Here and Across the Sea

NOTES

It’s Up to You and Me: Here and Across the Sea

NOTES

55

Alicia

Dr. Davis

Copyright 2009 Goethe-Institut Washington Transatlantic Outreach Program 812 Seventh Street NW Washington, DC 20001-3718 www.goethe.de/top top@washington.goethe.org Tel: (202) 289-1200 Fax: (202) 289-3535

Printed in the USA on 100% recycled paper.

Dr. Blume

Moritz