Briargreen's EarthCARE Team Has Been Busy!

April 14, 2006

At the EarthCARE team training session last week students shared the work they have been doing in their schools. Julia, a student at Briargreen PS, reported on her school's efforts.

"We tracked and graphed the temperature in various locations of our school and examined causes of energy and heat loss. Several students made solar cookers which we will use in the spring. Other students used recycled materials to make weather instruments.

I researched global warming along with one of my classmates. I learned about how human activity is releasing more greenhouse gases. The ozone layer traps these gases so they stay in the atmosphere making the Earth warmer, creating what we call global warming. I researched the results of global warming, and learned that rainfall patterns will change causing droughts and floods, which we obviously don't want. One of the causes of global warming is deforestation. Deforestation (which is the cutting of trees) is also bad for the environment. Learning about the results of global warming, I realized that I should do more to try to reduce global warming. When you try to reduce global warming you are also taking care of the environment. You can reduce global warming and pollution by carpooling, walking or biking, recycling, using your dishwasher or washing machine only when you have a full load; you can read instead of watching T.V. and you can also help by spreading the word. Every little thing helps so I also turn off lights when leaving an unused room. As you already know our school has been doing this, too.

In the spring, we will be sponsoring a science Olympics using recycled material. We are currently sponsoring a litterless lunch contest, with one primary and one junior winner awarded prizes monthly.

Our EarthCARE team has presented many ideas which we hope you will consider using, to make your school a clean and green place."