The Barometer April 2012: Aaaaaaaa!

April 2012

LETTER FROM FOUNDER

Dear Cool the Earth Community,

Aaaaaaaa! A few days ago I sent my kids to school and popped on the radio, only to hear a news story that made me so frustrated I let out an "Aaaaaaaa!" I felt I was in some sort of time warp, that I must be listening to the news of the future. Possibly some strange Orwellian drama?

The news report covered the plans currently underway to move more polar bears to zoos. Discussed were policy and procedural issues as well as reproductive and habitat concerns.

At the end of the report, there was the issue for which I was wholly unprepared: should we rescue polar bears at all since their habitat will be gone and no substitute habitat on Earth exists? At best, polar bears will exist only in exhibits at our zoos. Aaaaaaaa!.

The ethical question is clear: save in zoos or let the population die off? What's your opinion on this?

I wonder how can we send our kids to school to prepare for the future, while we are busy upending it?

Cool the Earth's commitment is to our children, our polar bears and our future. Our mission is to teach and empower kids so they can lead their families and communities in social change.

Kids are a powerful agent of change. I can guarantee if every child in America heard this news story, our country would be off fossil fuels fasten than you can say "oil."

Bring the power of change to your school. Enrollment for 2012-2013 is open now.

CARLEEN CULLEN

Founder and Executive Director

Cool the Earth

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Shea Cunningham from Linwood Howe Elementary School in Culver City, CA

Shea is a mother of two "kiddos", Emmett age 7 and Scarlett age 5, and an appointee to the Culver City's USD's environmental sustainability committee. Shea decided, along with her fellow committee members, to develop a campaign, called Green5, to increase environmental awareness and encourage action. "We decided the Cool the Earth program would be a great compliment to the campaign and help strengthen our message." Shea thought "it was thus a natural fit for me to become the Cool the Earth team leader!"

In only the first year of the program, the program is going strong with 300-recorded actions and more to come. When asked what Shea finds most rewarding about being a team leader, she said "the positive feedback I receive from the kids who are really excited about being green. I also love to hear teachers telling me that the kids are reminding them and each other about such things as turning off the lights, bringing zero-waste lunches and recycling carefully."

In addition to the traditional Cool the Earth actions, the campaign has inspired other activities such as "(1) a student-led clean up is underway; (2) the student council and another group of students created adorable Green5 posters now featured around the campus; and (3) the art committee will host a recycled art project after our Earth Month assembly."

As for a tip or advice for running a successful and fun program, Shea suggests "Co-leadership is the most effective approach - get at least two other dedicated volunteers to help you run the program!"

TIP OF THE MONTH

Celebrate Earth Day 2012 The celebration of Earth Day on April 22nd began in the United States in 1970 and was the brainchild of Senator Gaylord Nelson, who had long pondered about finding a way to "put the environment into the political 'limelight' once and for all".

We know many of you are celebrating Earth Day at school and in your communities. We would love to see and hear about what activities are happening in our Cool the Earth Communities across the nation. Take a photo any time during the 24 hour Earth Day celebration and share on our Facebook page at

Cool the Earth Facebook

THANKS TO OUR SUPPORTERS

We're thankful to our many partners and supporters who have enabled Cool the Earth to grow and reach the milestone of reducing over 150 million lbs of carbon.

SUPPORT COOL THE EARTH

Cool the Earth engages kids and their families in climate change solutions, by increasing awareness about global warming, and inspiring people to take simple actions to reduce their carbon emissions. You can share in our commitment to inspire and empower kids and families to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through a one time or reoccurring monthly donation. For more information or to support our programs visit cooltheearth.

In this Issue

Letter from Founder

In the Spotlight

Tip of the Month

Thanks to Our Sponsors

Support Cool the Earth

Total Actions

225,186

Total Carbon

156,417,836 lbs

Total Schools

381

Total Students

93,140

Need a No Waste Lunch lunch ware source at a discount?

ECOLunchbox: Consider buying no-plastic & no-waste lunch ware and learn more about why eco-friendly lunch ware is healthy for the pople and the planet. ECOlunchbox offers Cool the Earth community members a coupon code for 10% off plus an addtional 5% donated to Cool the Earth to support the organization. For all purchases made at ecolunchboxes enter "cooltheearth15" and check-out!

Cool the Earth: Climate Change Assembly Program