As we progress through the 21st century, the health of our planet emerges as a pressing concern. Earth Day, celebrated globally on April 22, provides a vital platform for raising awareness about environmental issues and advocating for sustainable practices. The theme for Earth Day 2024, “Planet vs. Plastics,” highlights a commitment to significantly reducing plastic use to safeguard both ecological and human health.
Earth Day: A Brief History
Initiated in 1970, Earth Day has grown into a global celebration, with over a billion people participating in more than 193 countries annually. This day is dedicated to educating and mobilizing individuals, communities, and governments on the importance of the environment and the necessity of its preservation and restoration.
Building Up to Earth Day 2024
With “Planet vs. Plastics” as its central theme, Earth Day 2024 will focus on advocating for a 60% reduction in plastic production by 2040, the elimination of single-use plastics, and a firm stance against fast fashion. These actions are essential to reduce the widespread pollution that threatens our natural and urban environments. This theme continues the tradition of past themes such as “Climate Action” and “Restore Our Earth,” which have all emphasized the urgency of protecting our environment and implementing effective measures to mitigate human impact.
Earth Day 2024 | Sustainable Development Goals – Resource Centre (relx.com)
Plant the Seed - Unpack Your Thinking
This week’s thinking routine from the Project Zero Thinking Routine Toolbox is Looking: Ten Times Two. A routine for making careful observations about images, visual art, or objects.
- Look at the image above quietly for at least 30 seconds. Let your eyes wander.
- List 10 words or phrases about any aspect of the picture.
- Repeat steps 1 & 2: Look at the image again and try to add 10 more words or phrases to your list.
Modelled Thinking
Here is my thinking – Bronwyn Joyce ‘The Global Write’ Creator
Let's Write
Prompt 1
Imagine A World Without Plastic
Listen to the story NO MORE PLASTIC
A young girl takes action against ocean pollution. Isley loves the ocean and everything in it. Well, almost everything. Her heart sinks at the sight of her Atlantic Ocean shoreline covered in trash. One day, upon discovering a beached right whale that has starved to death after swallowing plastic, Isley decides enough is enough. She steers her family into adopting a zero-waste lifestyle, inspiring others to do the same. But when the adults around her give way to apathy and routine, how can Isley make sure her whale’s memory inspires lasting change? With diorama art made from plastic waste by award-winning author-illustrator Alma Fullerton, No More Plastic is a moving, eye-catching, and ultimately hopeful reminder that the health of our oceans―and our planet―is in our hands. by Alma Fullerton (Author, Illustrator)
Write a descriptive paragraph about what you think a world without plastic would be like. You could use this sentence starter to get you going:
A world without plastic would …………
Prompt 2
Choose one of the following pictures depicting our world with plastic right now. Write a snapshot piece of writing as if you were one of the people in your picture of choice.
Remember: A snapshot is to write about that exact moment, what are thinking and feeling? Remember to use your senses to bring your writing piece to life.
Prompt 3
Make a Buncee or poster that shows your thoughts and feelings about the world of plastics you are living in 2024. Add a quote, message and images to bring your visual writing piece to life. Take a look at my buncee to get you started.
Share Your Thinking & Creativity With The World
Place your Writer’s Notebook page and your Let’s Write work on The Global Write Wakelet. Take a photo of your work and share it on our Wakelet.
All you need to do is click on the button and share your great work with a global audience.
Teacher Resources
For more information on the Looking: Ten Times Two thinking routine go to https://pz.harvard.edu/resources/looking-ten-times-two
Earth Day and the SDGs
