Keep the earth alive. Adopt a Village today!

23 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere every year

On April 22, 2008, countries around the world will come together to commemorate Earth Day 2008. Join Free The Children, the United Nations and your peers around the globe by celebrating the 38th anniversary of Earth Day and take action to make the world a healthier, cleaner, greener place to live.

The history of Earth Day

Earth Day first began on April 22, 1970, when U.S. Senator and environmental activist Gaylord Nelson organized a nationwide grassroots demonstration to raise awareness about the need to protect the environment. Every year new policies are created and more goals are accomplished. On Earth Day 1990, for example, a huge effort was made to promote the importance of recycling. Today, it’s hard to imagine a world without recycling!

Why is protecting the earth so important?

Global warming is a growing concern throughout the world. Carbon dioxide collects in the atmosphere and traps the sun’s heat, causing the planet to warm up. Global temperature increase has many dangerous effects, including the melting of the icecaps, which can harmfully and dramatically alter the global environment.

Ozone depletion is also threatening the environment. As harmful chemicals, known as chlorofluorocarbons, are released into the atmosphere, a hole in the ozone is created. This results in increased exposure to UV rays, which have damaging effects on humans, animals and crops.

Developing countries are often the hardest hit by the global environmental crisis. Drinking water is unsafe because it’s contaminated by pollution from factories and commercial farms. Strains on the environment (such as deforestation, loss of biodiversity and wildlife) often make it hard for subsistence farmers to make a living from the land. Changes in the weather result in storms and harsh conditions, destroying the livelihood of many communities.

How Free The Children is making a difference

Free The Children’s Adopt a Village program addresses local environmental challenges by working together with communities and our teams overseas to identify and address regional environmental concerns.

In Kenya, we are tackling drought, deforestation and nutrition problems all at once through three programs: community gardens, a tree nursery and environmental clubs.

We are growing 30,000 trees to be planted every year on school grounds. Students attending Free The Children schools are part of environmental clubs where they are encouraged to take on a leadership role in planting and watering the trees, while learning about environmental issues that impact their communities.

The community gardens also assist in combating malnutrition, which affects one in five children in the Maasai Mara. The children and the mamas are involved in educational programs where they learn about the importance of a healthy diet. Local experts also teach them how to grow a variety of vegetables and beans so they can keep their families and their farms healthy.

You, too, can make a difference by helping your peers in developing countries. Sign up for Adopt a Village, start a Youth In Action Group and help to keep the earth alive!

Read Mercy’s story to learn how a community garden is making a difference in the lives of children overseas.

Free The Children is the largest network of children helping children through education in the world, with more than one million youth involved in our innovative education and development programs in 45 countries. Founded by international child rights activist Craig Kielburger, Free The Children has an established track-record of success, with three nominations for the Nobel Peace Prize and partnerships with the United Nations and Oprah’s Angel Network.