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Nature Challenge Newsletter

Edition eight: Get involved, stay informed!

Dear Nature Challenge Champion,  

One of the best ways to help protect nature is to stay informed about environmental issues and get your kids involved.

That’s why we’ve launched the Nature Challenge for Kids (NC4K). Let’s teach them about the world they’ll inherit and how to care for it.

  

CONTENTS

1) Fax action
2) Survey results
3) Get the kids involved!
4) Green fun for parents & kids
5) Nature, children and health
6) Canadian of the month
7) Stay informed! 
8) Coffee table book winner!

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FAX ACTION IS NOW CLOSED. Letters sent to date: 1465

Fax action: air quality and our children's health

Our elected officials make the laws that can affect our health and quality of life, so it's important to tell them how we feel. When politicians receive several phone calls, letters, faxes or e-mails on a specific issue, they take notice. 

If air quality is important to you, send a free fax and let Ottawa know you want better fuel efficiency standards for cars. Automobiles are one of the largest sources of greenhouse gases and air pollution. Did you know that of all Ford vehicles sold today, only one gets better mileage than a 1912 Ford Model T?

Send a free fax and let Ottawa know you want cleaner air.

Survey Results

A big thanks to everyone who responded to our survey! The top three challenges people are working on are:

  • walk, bike, carpool, or use transit to get to your regular destinations
  • choose at least one day a week to eat meat-free meals
  • reduce home heating and electricity use by 10 per cent

Get the kids involved! 

You’re never too old—or too young—to help protect nature. Children exert a powerful influence in families. (Just ask any parent who’s ever taken their kid to a toy store!)

Simple activities such as riding bikes to regular destinations like after-school activities and eating one meat-free meal a week can make a real difference in conserving nature.

The Nature Challenge for Kids (NC4K) is aimed at getting kids aged 8 to 12 involved in protecting the environment. Visit www.davidsuzuki.org/kids

 

Green fun for parents & kids

Here are just a few simple activities you and your children can do together. Thinking green starts at home!

Know where your lunch comes from! Your child’s lunch traveled a long way from field to lunch box – probably around 2,400 km. That’s roughly the driving distance from Regina to Toronto! When you pack a lunch with your child, choose locally grown food. For more ideas on buying local visit: http://www.davidsuzuki.org/NatureChallenge/newsletters/seven.asp

Use ‘kid power’ to get to regular destinations! Most Canadian children don’t get enough exercise. Try taking your kids to a regular destination without using the car. This will be good for your kid’s health and you’ll get to spend more time together. For more on alternatives to the car...  http://www.davidsuzuki.org/NatureChallenge/newsletters/six.asp

Reconnect with nature! Every parent knows that kids learn by example. Walk around the neighborhood or plan a daytrip to the woods, mountains, beach or lake. Enjoy the change of seasons and talk about what it means to you.

Unleash the artist within! Creative forms of communication can be a powerful way to share our values. Use poems, stories, or art to talk to your kids (or class) about why nature is important to you.

Green your school! There are lots of creative, fun and enriching things that can be done to school yards that will result in a healthier and safer environment. For more information check out: http://www.nb.lung.ca/schools/3000e/ehi_sgg_e.htm

Take the Nature Challenge to school. For more simple ideas and activities designed for kids in school, visit the NC4K teachers and parents page. http://www.davidsuzuki.org/kids/teachers/

The environment and children’s health 

Canada has one of the highest asthma rates in the world, affecting 10-18 per cent of our children. Kids are extremely vulnerable to air pollution and other environmental problems:

  • High levels of air pollution can dramatically slow the healthy growth and development of children’s lungs.
  • Studies show a strong link between high levels of air pollution and asthma attacks. Asthma is the number one cause of hospital admissions among children. Read more http://www.davidsuzuki.org/files/health_exec.pdf
  • Children with decreased lung function might be more susceptible to respiratory disease and more likely to have chronic respiratory problems as adults. Read more http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2001/12/011217082728.htm
  • Children spend more time outdoors which increases their exposure to pollutants, especially if they play close to high traffic and industrial areas.

Although these facts are grim, you can do something about it. By taking the Nature Challenge and spreading the word about what you are doing and why, we can make the world a better and healthier place for our children and grandchildren.

Canadian of the month

"I became a fan of David Suzuki's over 25 years ago. I have 4 kids and am trying to pass on Dr. Suzuki's passion for the environment.

We compost, walk to school and the store, ride our bikes, and all help in the garden learning about plants and bugs.

We don't use pesticides and are starting to grow our own veggies. Every little bit helps!"
 
(Pictured: Danielle and Keith de Beer with Kate 15, Davy 14, Sammy 7, and Jimmy 6)

Stay informed! 

By joining Team Suzuki you’re showing your concern for the world we'll leave to future generations. But that’s just the first step. Here are some useful websites where you can learn more about environmental issues:

Here are some other environmental sites to help get kids involved and stay informed:

Coffee table book winner!

By taking the Nature Challenge your name was automatically entered in a monthly draw for an autographed Sacred Balance coffee table book! This month's winner is Marcus Rempel of Winnipeg, MB. Congratulations, Marcus!

Learn more about David Suzuki’s Nature Challenge

Read about the science behind the Nature Challenge. (PDF) 
http://www.davidsuzuki.org/files/WOL/ChallengeScience.pdf

Read the Green Guide, a comprehensive look at the 10 challenges. (PDF)
http://www.davidsuzuki.org/files/WOL/GreenGuide.pdf



© 2007 David Suzuki Foundation