In nature, air starts off clean. You might have heard someone say they were going to step outside for some “fresh air”. But is air always fresh? Unfortunately, no; air pollution means air that was clean has become dirty. How does air become dirty, or polluted?
Chemicals and soot from factories, vehicles, lawn mowers, and even some cleaning supplies and pesticides can end up in our air. But the biggest source of air pollution is cars1. Cars use a lot of oil and gas and release harmful gases into the air every time a car is driven. Now we know that it is people, and the things we do, that cause air pollution. And what is something else that people do with air, besides putting harmful chemicals into it? Take a big breath before you answer! That’s right – we breathe in the air around us, all day, every day. Sometimes you can smell pollution and sometimes, when the air looks hazy or smoky, you can see it. And sometimes, air pollution is invisible. But invisible or not, it is nasty. It’s not good for us when the air we breathe is polluted, and it’s not good for the planet, either.
What can you do to make our air cleaner?
Next time you are going to ask for a car ride, stop and think: is there another way I could get there? When you are not going far, ride your bike, walk, skateboard or rollerblade! For longer distances, ride the bus. Bicycling, walking, and riding the bus can help fight and reduce air pollution.
Kids can also make a difference by spreading the word. You can tell your parents and friends about the causes of air pollution and ways to reduce it. Remind them to tune their car regularly and to turn the car off instead of idling it. Walk with your family whenever you can, and encourage your mom and dad to form a car pool to work or activities and back. Trees produce the oxygen that we breathe, so ask your family to help you plant a tree or trees!
Can you think of any other ways you and your friends and family can help make the air healthier for everyone?
Sustainability + You = Biking, walking, or riding the bus to school!
Yes, our students and teachers are making a difference!
Walking School Bus at STEVENSON-BRITANNIA SCHOOL
Last spring, the staff and students from Stevenson-Britannia participated in our first Walking School Bus. For the first week of June, many students who normally ride the bus as well as families who usually walk to school, met staff at central locations and walked to school together.
We planned this activity as part of our participation in taking active and safe routes to school.Our goal was for our walking school bus to be another way to promote sustainable development and healthy living principles in our community. We had a very good turn out all week and had a good time walking and talking with each other. We plan on doing it again this spring! To learn more about this initiative, please contact Jane Couch, Vice Principal. (September 2009)
The Sansome School Parent Council is committed to building a greener community. Last year, a remarkable transformation occurred around the front entrance of the school.
With the dedicated efforts of parent, student, and staff volunteers, a variety of perennial shrubs and trees were planted and nurtured. Perennial grasses, cedars, diablos, daylilies, catmint, and spirea now thrive at the front entrance and walkway of the school. Recycled spruce chips were used to provide a natural weed barrier around the new plants. This project began with creative brainstorming and moved forward with the dedication and enthusiasm of parents, staff, and students. To learn more about this initiative, please contact Mr. Betz. (Sept 2009)
Congratulations to the grade three students of Strathmillan School who took first place honours on May 30th, 2008 at the BMO Financial Group National Student Innovation Awards.
The BMO Financial Group National Student Innovation Awards were created to recognize and celebrate the spirit of innovation and entrepreneurial achievement of students in Entrepreneurial Adventure projects across Canada. The name of Strathmillan's project was Threes for Trees. The students raised funds to plant trees on the school grounds and were able to purchase three trees through their efforts. Jensen’s Nursery generously donated a fourth tree (thank you Jensen’s!).
The award received by Strathmillan School was the Judges’ Choice Award, an all-round award aimed at recognizing a venture team that has stood out amongst its peers as “the best of the best” and exhibited all the characteristics of a successful entrepreneurial team to break through barriers and turn their ideas into reality. The award included a $500 cash prize that the students will put towards planting more trees. To learn more about this initiative, please contact Sue Marlatt, Principal of Strathmillan School. (May 2008)
We are excited about the Sustainable Living program being implemented throughout the school division. Its aim is to further SJASD’s principles and to challenge students and staff to explore activities and learn about conserving resources, protecting the environment, and ensuring human health and welfare through education about the consequences of our actions and our responsibilities to each other and to the planet.
Get more involved!
Learn more about this topic, and specifically ideas and strategies for sustainable transportation, from Resource Conservation Manitoba, a leading non-profit and non-governmental centre for applied sustainability based in Winnipeg, at www.resourceconservation.mb.ca.
