Water - You are made of it

Good morning

A friend sent photos taken from Liverpool Road, Goolwa, SA. (see Photo 2 taken by Frank Refchange 2008) The river is in a serious state. I have also uploaded a photo of the normal height of the River Murray, at Liverpool Road, Goolwa, SA. (Photo 1 taken by Julia Morton-Marr in November 1987).

So for the last two days I have been focused on the Murray - Darling Basin, where I have taught so many of you, in South Australia. The river is drying up and you are experiencing a long drought. I know you all know how to protect your water supply and don't waste a drop. Some of you are experts at having a 3 minute shower. I know that you are collecting water in your rain water tanks, not watering your gardens except with your shower and bath grey water. I know that many of you don't have a dish washer, or a swimming pool, because of the lack and cost of water. Children in Africa walk for miles to the river to get water.

I was sent a petition from Goolwa, South Australia which I have signed. Here is the link please sign it.

http://rivermurray.com/html/petition/online_petition.html

Also here is a link so that you can calculate your water footprint

http://www.waterfootprint.org/?page=files/WaterFootprintCalculator

for more information on your water footprint go to

http://www.waterfootprint.org/?page=files/home

Julia

Climate Change & Energy - Scientific Wisdom

In September 2007, top scientists from the 'Global Issues Project' met in Ontario Canada. They worked on ideas for people in the world, so that they could stop the Climate Change and Energy problems. Their suggestions are called the 'Wasan Action Framework". http://www.pugwashgroup.ca/

They are asking us to take them to our parents, teachers, Principals, Mayors, and parliamentary representatives at State, Provincial, and Federal levels of government. Here are their suggestions:

• Preserve forests especially rainforests everywhere, as these are the earth's lungs.
• Help plant a forest with all the other plants that help the forests to grow.
• Only buy what you need. Think about what you throw away as there is "no where to throw away to".
• Make your own toys. Waste nothing. Recycle everything.
• Have only two children when you grow up.
• Keep farming land for food not for fuel.
• Use solar, wind, geothermal, hydro electricity, ocean energy, to power your buildings, factories and cars.
• Keep oil for other products that your grandchildren will need.
• Be WISE...Use current technology so that it reduces your carbon footprint. http://www.carbonfootprint.com/ Calculate your footprint http://calculator.carbonfootprint.com/calculator.aspx
• Check that women and girls are included 50% with men 50% at places where decisions are made that effect the web of life and all species.
• Know you rights and responsibilities. Read the Earth Charter.
• Keep the peace ... never buy war toys.
• Use only water that you need in small amounts.

Please talk to your family members and take this to your school.

Cheers
Julia

COSMOS - Earth and Galaxy's

Science is one of the most important subjects we learn. For if we know the 'Laws of Nature' on Earth then we can also understand all about the stars, planets, galaxy's in the Universe. I have been watching COSMOS DVD series by Carl Sagan. In this he reminds us that:

• Science is a language that we need to understand all of life including space
• The Laws of Nature are the same everywhere, in every galaxy.
• Light from a candle on earth is the same as the light from a star.
• Chemicals on earth are the same chemicals in outer space.
• That atoms and molecules are governed by physics everywhere.
• The spiral storm patterns in cyclones on earth are the same as the spiral forms on Jupiter.
• Gravity is the same everywhere in space. Gravity is sometimes stronger or weaker in different places, but it is same force.
• Technology is the way species on earth will talk to each other. Earth uses 'Radio Astronomy' and is listening to sounds from space.

IT WOULD BE UNFORGIVABLE TO DESTROY THE EARTH - Humans have several ways that we can destroy all life on earth. So we all need to learn the science behind climate change, and change our actions. WE CAN ALL DO IT TOGETHER.
Chapters DVD and Book. http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/dvd/Carl-Sagan-Cosmos-Disc-Collectors/804387101097-item.html?ref=Search+DVD%3a+%2527cosmos%2527

Cheers
Julia

CREATURE CORRIDORS

Hallo again


Did you know that betweem 30,000 & 100,000 species of the animals and birds, insects and plants are dying every year? However we must keep water over land first as this is more important than species. Some scientists think that all species are now at risk. Those that we think are OK may die too. So here is something we can do together.


To Do List.

• Plant food supplies for migrating creatures in your peace garden.
• Google your local walking trail group and ask them how you can help plant food for creatures on walking trails. These might be milk weed for the monach butterfly, between Canada and Mexico.
• Use only your feet, horses, or bicycles on walking trails.

For more information on Creature Corridors go to http://www.ihtec.org/index.php?id=75

Oceans, Whales and Plastic Bags

Hallo again....

This morning I was reminded of the whales that are dying. I saw a TV program yesterday where researches were looking into a whales tummy. Guess what they found? Yes you have it, lots and lots of plastic bags, bottles, tops, 6 pack plastic all mixed up in a big mess. What do you think we can do about this?

So what I did was to find a map that showed Oceans pollution. Here is a link to a map.
http://environmentalresearchweb.org/cws/article/research/32885/1/6913

To Do List...

• Make a list of all the things humans have put into oceans.
• Find more images of Oceans pollution and post them in your comments.
• Stop using plastic bags and ask you family and friends to join you.
• Collect plastic bags and recycle them

I know we can 'Turn the World Around". Will you help me please?

CLIMATE CHANGE IN YOUR SCHOOL

HELP WITH CLIMATE CHANGE IN YOUR SCHOOL.

Welcome to International School Peace Gardens (ISPG) blog. Granny Julia want's to share ideas her own grand-children, and all the children that I have taught on planet earth. These children were in South Australia, Darwin and Alice Springs in the Northern Territory, Canada, Mexico, Argentina, Germany, India, Sri Lanka, Mexico, many children in the USA, especially in Hawaii, California, Vermont, Florida. Hallo to all schools who have a peace garden. To find peace garden information go to www.ihtec.org

You may have called your gardens different names. You may have created your garden with Evergreen Foundation in Toronto, a memorial gardens, friendship garden, reconciliation garden, biodiversity garden, solar garden, a children's garden, musical garden, and all these gardens help the planet with solving climate change and energy especially if they support your local biodiversity.

You can join all these gardens with a 'path of peace'. Here is a TO DO list. In your school, have small teams of students allocated to work on your garden every day. Sit on your Friendship Benches and think of others things you can do to help the planet.

• Draw a plan of your peace garden. Invite all your friends to draw their peace garden plan.
• Plant trees, bushes and foods that are native to your area. Ask your local park what these are.
• Plant foods for migrating species.
• Clean out the weeds around the trees so that they can breathe.
• Feed the birds.
• Sit on the friendship bench to make friends and solve problems
• Collect and plant original seeds.
• Walk to school if you are close.
• Make your school a Green School.
• Re-cycle waste, pick up garbage using tongs or a stick.
• Create your own blog and send me the link.