Educational Resources | Global Soil Biodiversity Initiative

Posted on February 12, 2015 by GarryRogers

Here’s some great #IYS2015 snow day activities for kids: http://t.co/d8pDqQptkA
The Global Soil Biodiversity Initiative was launched in September 2011 and is open to all those interested in developing a coherent platform for promoting the translation of expert knowledge on soil biodiversity into environmental policy and sustainable land management for the protection and enhancement of ecosystem services.

Source: www.globalsoilbiodiversity.org

GR: We must remember that without soil, the Earth would be as barren and lifeless as the moon. Soils host at least one-fourth of Earth’s biodiversity: a tablespoon of soil holds more creatures than the whole pop. on earth http://t.co/BZGX3tsa4j.

Americans’ increasing distrust of science — and not just on climate change

Posted on January 31, 2015 by GarryRogers

By Aaron Blake. “It’s also not just Republicans.

“Eight in 10 Americans believe science has made life better for most people, but they still don’t trust scientists — and/or aren’t aware of their consensus — on many of the most important science-related issues of the day.

“And that goes for far more than just climate change. And it includes plenty of Democrats too.

“A new Pew study comparing the attitudes of scientists and the public shows wide gaps between the two when it comes to climate, food that uses genetically modified organisms and pesticides, research using animals, and also the threat posed by the fast-growing world population.” Source: www.washingtonpost.com

GR: School-aged children and adults often hear conflicting views on important issues. Young people I know often ask my opinion on interesting ideas or arguments they’ve heard. Often, I find the arguments are obvious fallacies. There are many ways to argue for unsound conclusions, even that science itself is faulty or dangerous.

A fallacious argument in logic or rhetoric is one that is invalid. Wikipedia defines more than 100 fallacies that people often use to make unsound arguments. Some of the fallacies are difficult to spot without prior knowledge. Learning to recognize the long lists of fallacies takes time and that’s why I suggest schoolwork.

Schools should include middle-grade units and high-school courses on fallacy and debate. Otherwise, choosing what to believe is like choosing foods without taste buds.

Generation Wild: Youth and the Battle to Save Biodiversity

Posted on January 10, 2015 by GarryRogers

“From kindergarten kids to high-schoolers, youth all over the world are recognizing that they’re urgently needed to help save our planet from the disappearance of unique endangered species; the pollution and destruction of wildlands where we play, hike, bike and camp — and even climate change, which could change all our lives, dramatically,forever. Go to the CBD to use the interactive map to obtain local endangered species lists.

“The Center for Biological Diversity deeply appreciates that young people are caring more and more about our planet and its nonhuman inhabitants, from tiny butterflies and beetles to the great white polar bear and the Arctic seals it preys on — and that some of these youths are taking incredible steps to help protect them. Even just learning about animals and plants, and all that threatens these irreplaceable species, could help ensure their survival. Education is the first step toward action” (Source: www.biologicaldiversity.org).

GR: The battle to save Earth’s biodiversity will not end soon. Coming generations must be introduced to the issues so that they can decide whether or not to begin working to protect their environmental future. This article from CBD offers suggested topics to present to children.