Facing History & Ourselves

What Can I Do? Environmental Issues

  • DO Something: Recycling. "The U.S. is #1! Unfortunately the U.S. is #1 in trash producing countries, producing about 1,609 pounds of trash per person per year and Canadians produce more garbage per person than almost any other country in the world. About 75% of what we throw away can be recycled, so why don't we start?" (http://www.dosomething.org/causes/recycling)

  • DO Something: Global Warming. "The U.S. is the world's leader when it comes to global warming--we are responsible for 25% of the worldwide carbon dioxide emissions today. Through various political campaigns and scientific debates, global warming has become a 'hot topic' for Americans. With continued global warming, our earth will face several detrimental effects including more floods and infectious diseases. Look ahead to the future--instead of waiting for this stuff to happen, why not act now to prevent them?" 
    (http://www.dosomething.org/causes/global_warming)

  • Generation Why: Climate Change. Oxfam's website for youth. "Climate change is real and it's happening now. The international community has failed to seriously address climate change and this poses a major threat to the lives of people living in poverty." (http://www.oxfam.org.uk/generationwhy/issues/climate_change/)

  • Global: Ideas: Bank. “The Global Ideas Bank aims to promote and disseminate good creative ideas to improve society. It further aims to encourage the public to generate these ideas, to participate in the problem-solving process.” (http://www.globalideasbank.org/site/home/)

  • Greenpeace USA Student Network. “The Greenpeace Student Network is an alliance of passionate leaders fighting environmental crimes with grassroots power. Armed with top organizing tools, expert guidance, and an innovative student training system, the Network gives you the chance to be a real force in a global movement for change.” (http://members.greenpeace.org/students/)

  • I Count. “If you care, count. It’s your voice, your choice. I Count will inspire people across the UK to take action. I Count is the campaign of the Stop Climate Chaos coalition, the ever-growing coalition of more than 50 organisations, has over 700 years’ experience working for a safer, fairer world. Together we are millions of people - and counting.” (http://www.icount.org.uk/)

  • TakingITGlobal: Environment. "TakingITGlobal.org is a global online community, providing youth with inspiration to make a difference, a source of information on issues, opportunities to take action, and a bridge to get involved locally, nationally and globally." (http://www.takingitglobal.org/understanding/environment/)

  • US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) Student Center. “The mission of the Environmental Protection Agency is to protect human health and the environment. Since 1970, EPA has been working for a cleaner, healthier environment for the American people.” (http://www.epa.gov/students/)

  • World Changing. “WorldChanging.com works from a simple premise: that the tools, models and ideas for building a better future lie all around us. That plenty of people are working on tools for change, but the fields in which they work remain unconnected. That the motive, means and opportunity for profound positive change are already present. That another world is not just possible, it's here. We only need to put the pieces together.” (http://www.worldchanging.com/)

  • YouthCaN (Youth Communicating and Networking). “YouthCaN is a youth run organization that uses technology to inspire, connect and educate people worldwide about environmental issues. Through a network of conferences, activities and events we unite environmentally active youth to exchange ideas about the environment and empower others to make a difference in their own communities.” (http://youthcanworld.org/)

  • Youth Noise: Environment. "YOUTH NOISE is a web-based program created to motivate young people ages 13-18, to improve their lives and the lives of children and youth, worldwide, through volunteering, fundraising and speaking out."(http://www.youthnoise.com/page.php?page_id=2233)

  • youTHink: Environment (World Bank). "The environment influences how people live and how societies develop. For that reason, people, progress, development and the environment are closely linked. The environment can also pose risks. Air pollution, waterborne diseases, toxic chemicals and natural disasters are some of the challenges the environment presents for mankind...Concern for a sound global environment is essential in fighting poverty, as the poorest people tend to live in the most vulnerable places." (http://youthink.worldbank.org/issues/environment/)