by Beth Staats
Quick Summary
In observance of Earth Day, celebrated every year on April 22, consider sharing the resources in eLibrary Minnesota with the students in your life.
This article was originally written by Ann Kaskinen of Michigan eLibrary (MeL). With the author's permission, links and sources were changed for Minnesota residents.
Every April since 1970, Americans have been celebrating Earth Day and recognizing the importance of protecting Earth's natural resources for future generations. The resources in eLibrary MN (ELM) offer articles on a wide range of topics related to Earth Day that include biodiversity, climate change, deforestation, pollution, renewable energy, sustainability, and dozens more.
The importance of Earth Day and the positive results of the first Earth Day celebration have been felt by Americans for over 5 decades. An article in the EPA Journal reminds us of the importance of the first Earth Day, as the development of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the passage of the Clean Air Act resulted within a year of the initial celebration. Ultimately, a 66.9 percent decrease in air pollution has been realized because of these landmark changes.
Elementary
In PebbleGo Biographies, students can access read-aloud articles on several well-known environmentalists including John Muir and Greta Thunberg. In eBooks Minnesota, students are introduced to recycling in Reduce, reuse, and recycle, and enjoy some earth-friendly Earth Day crafts in Amazing recycled projects you can create.
Middle School
Climate change: The science, also from Ebooks Minnesota, presents information on climate change focusing on scientific discoveries. Under the Earth's environment at a glance in Britannica School Middle, there are several curated lists of linked content on Climate, Ecological Concerns, Environmental Issues, Planet Earth, and related Biographies.
High School
Points of View Reference Center showcases a wide range of content including videos, audio files, images, viewpoints, and articles such as Sustainable Development, which highlights improving standards of living without harming the earth or depleting natural resources. Lastly, The Paris Climate Agreement from Ebooks Minnesota looks at the positive and negative aspects of this event, as well as its impact on the future.
These resources are just the tip of the iceberg. Keep exploring and get ready for April 22!
