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Website
resources on environmental issues
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Visit
these websites to learn more about environmental issues and leadership
opportunities for students and educators. Some sites provide ready-to-use
resources that educators can incorporate in their global classroom.
Be sure to check out the Global links
section for more online resources.
The
websites on environmental issues are separated in the following
categories:
United
Nations
Country
at a Glance
This is a link on the United Nations CyberSchoolBus site to "Country
at a Glance." By selecting a country on the map or the list,
you can access information about the country's flag, links to the
nation's newspapers, information about the country's economy, environment,
health and technology, and contact information for the country's
mission in New York and Geneva.
United
Nations
The UN performs many duties ranging from the decision of the Security
Council to dispatch a peacekeeping operation in response to a dispute,
to setting standards for air safety and communications compatibility;
from rushing emergency supplies to victims of natural disaster,
to co-ordinating the response to the AIDS pandemic; from helping
countries carry out free and fair elections, to securing low-interest
loans to develop the infrastructures of poorer countries. The UN's
work is about making a healthier, more stable world with enhanced
opportunities and justice for everyone.
United
Nations Association in Canada
UNA-Canada is a national non-profit organization promoting UN programs
and activities within Canada. The association offers individual
Canadians a window into the work of the UN, and a channel through
which to become engaged in the critical international issues affecting
us all. By creating links between the work of the UN and the lives
of Canadians, UNA-Canada is helping to build a better United Nations.
United
Nations Development Programme
At the United Nations Millennium Summit, world leaders put development
at the heart of the global agenda by adopting the Millennium Development
Goals, which set clear targets for reducing environmental degradation,
discrimination against women, poverty, hunger, disease, and illiteracy
by 2015. On the ground in 166 countries, UNDP uses its global network
to help the UN system and its partners to raise awareness and track
progress, while connecting countries to the knowledge and resources
needed to achieve these goals.
United
Nations Environment Programme
UNEP was developed in order to provide and encourage partnership
in caring for the environment by inspiring, informing and enabling
nations and peoples to improve their quality of life without compromising
the lives of future generations.
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Canadian
government
Websites
for the Government of Canada, Environment Canada and other federal
departments provide many different resources and information. Here
are a few:
Canada
and the World
This site provides up-to-date information about Canada's international
relations and global activities. Explore Canada's contributions
to environmental health as well as global peace, security and development.
Learn more about Canada's foreign policy and its technological and
educational co-operation initiatives.
Canadian
International Development Agency
CIDA supports foreign aid projects and sustainable development activities
in order to reduce poverty and to contribute to a more secure, equitable
and prosperous world in more than 100 of the poorest countries of
the world. The agency works with partners in the private and public
sectors in Canada and in developing countries, and with international
organizations and agencies. Read about CIDA's Policy for Environmental
Sustainability under the "Publications" section.
Department
of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
The Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade represents
Canada abroad through a network of embassies and offices around
the world. DFAIT's objectives are to promote prosperity, ensure
Canadians' security within a global framework, and promote Canadian
values and culture on the international stage.
Freshwater
Website
Did you know, "over two thirds of the earth's freshwater exists
as ice in the form of glaciers and ice caps." Read more quick
facts and learn about water and climate, water and culture, and
water policy and legislation on the Freshwater Website.
The
Green Lane – Environment Canada
The internet resource for weather and environmental information,
the Green Lane helps connect Canadians, exchange information and
share knowledge for environmental decision-making. Look for more
information on air, climate change and water in the "Quick
Links" section.
One-Tonne
Challenge
Canadians are encouraged to take the challenge to reduce their annual
greenhouse gas emissions by one tonne. Fewer emissions means protecting
the climate and having cleaner air and healthier communities for
all Canadians.
Taking
Action on Climate Change
Visit the Climate Change website to learn about the science, impacts
and adaptation to climate change and how individuals, governments,
businesses, industry and communities take action by reducing greenhouse
gas emissions. Links on the site include fact sheets and student
and teachers resources.
Youth
& the Environment
This section of the site provides an overview of environmental issues,
activities and events for youth.
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Climate
change and Kyoto Protocol
ClimateArk
– Climate Change Portal
ClimateArk is an educational portal that promotes global climate
change policy. It provides access to news and information about
climate change and renewable energy through extensive lists and
a search engine. Click on "Climate Change Overview" for
informative charts and graphs.
Climate
Change
With the ratification of the Kyoto Protocol, the Government of Canada
has made climate change a national priority, and is working closely
with Canadians and the global community to meet this challenge.
Environment Canada's Climate Change website is committed to providing
the most up-to date resources, information, ideas and approaches
to protect the climate so that everyone can be part of the solution.
Mapleleafweb
– Canada and the Kyoto Protocol
This non-profit political education website provides educators and
students with political information, including the Kyoto Protocol.
Located at the University of Lethbridge in Alberta, Maple Leaf Web
publishes original articles and features on Canadian political events
and institutions, and provides links to other resources.
See
Taking Action
on Climate Change in the Canadian Government section.
Treaty
Reference Guide
This introductory note seeks to provide a basic – but not
an exhaustive – overview of the key terms employed in the
United Nations Treaty Collection to refer to international instruments
binding at international law: treaties, agreements, conventions,
charters, protocols, declarations, memoranda of understanding, modus
vivendi and exchange of notes. The purpose is to facilitate a general
understanding of their scope and function.
United
Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
Learn more about the Kyoto Protocol, it's ratification status and
total carbon dioxide emissions on website for the United Nations
Framework Convention on Climate Change.
World
Resources Institute – Climate change and energy
An independent non-profit organization, World Resources Institute
carries out environmental research and policy work to protect the
earth's living systems, increase access to information, create sustainable
enterprise and opportunity, and reverse global warming. This site
provides access to current reports and publications on the topic
of climate change and energy.
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Conservation
Native
Forest Network
The Native Forest Network is a global organization made up of forest
activists, indigenous peoples, conservation biologists and non-governmental
organizations. NFN's goals include maintaining biodiversity and
ecological integrity, recognizing the rights of indigenous peoples
and ensuring ecological productivity of natural and modified ecosystems.
Nature
Conservancy nature.org
Working with communities, businesses and citizens, the Nature Conservancy
works to preserve the plants, animals and natural communities by
protecting the lands and waters they need to survive. Links include
online activities, a magazine and information about events and conferences.
Nature
Serve
A non-profit conservation organization, NatureServe provides the
scientific information and tools needed to help guide effective
conservation action. NatureServe and its network of natural heritage
programs are the leading source for information about rare and endangered
species and threatened ecosystems.
Ontario
Nature
Ontario Nature protects and restores natural habitats through research,
education and conservation, connecting thousands of individuals
and communities with nature. The organization's quarterly magazine,
On Nature, explores Ontario's natural areas and wildlife and provides
insight on current environmental issues.
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Environmental
awareness
David
Suzuki Foundation
Since 1990, the David Suzuki Foundation has worked to find ways
for society to live in balance with the natural world that sustains
all living things. Focusing on four program areas – oceans
and sustainable fishing, forests and wild lands, climate change
and clean energy, and the web of life – the foundation uses
science and education to promote solutions that help conserve nature.
Earth
Day Network
Founded by the organizers of the first Earth Day in 1970, the Earth
Day Network promotes environmental citizenship and year round progressive
action world-wide. Through the network, activists connect, interact,
and impact their communities, and create positive change in local,
national and global policies. More than a half billion people participate
in Earth Day campaigns, making it the only event celebrated simultaneously
around the globe by people of all backgrounds, faiths and nationalities.
Check out the Earth
Day Canada site, too.
EnviroLink
A non-profit organization, EnviroLink is an online environmental
community that provides access to comprehensive, up-to-date resources
by topics like climate change, environmental disasters, environmental
education, sustainable development and urban issues.
Environmental
Defense
Since 1967, Environmental Defense – a non-profit organization
representing more than 300,000 members – has linked science,
economics and law to create innovative, equitable and cost-effective
solutions to society's most urgent environmental problems. Environmental
Defense is dedicated to protecting the environmental rights—including
clean air and water, healthy and nourishing food, and a flourishing
ecosystem—of all people.
Environmental
News Network
This site provides environmental news from around the world to help
educate people about major issues and to provide tools to help individuals
take action in their own communities. This is not an activist publication,
but instead tries to present information from all sides.
Greenpeace
In 1971, motivated by their vision of a green and peaceful world,
a small team of activists set sail from Vancouver in an old fishing
boat. These activists, the founders of Greenpeace, believed a few
individuals could make a difference. Greenpeace is an international
organization that challenges government and industry to halt harmful
practices by negotiating solutions, conducting scientific research,
introducing clean alternatives, carrying out peaceful acts of civil
disobedience, and educating and engaging the public. Check out the
Greenpeace Canada site as
well.
Green
Street
Green Street offers environmental education programs provided by
Canadian environmental organizations. The programs engage elementary
and secondary school students in learning about protecting the environment.
The Green Street Youth Action Centre section of the site lists a
variety of opportunities for youth to get more involved in environmental
activities.
National
Environmental Trust
The National Environmental Trust is a United States-based, non-profit
membership group established in 1994 to inform citizens about environmental
problems and how they affect our health and quality of life. NET's
public education campaigns present the latest scientific studies
and public opinion research to help citizens understand complex
environmental issues.
Peel
Environment Youth Alliance (PEYA)
A
student-run organization supported by the Peel Environmental Network,
PEYA provides a forum for student discussion on initiating and managing
successful school and community environmental projects. Students
and teachers who organize environment clubs and activities can receive
support through communication with other schools and through online
resources. Resources include: a directory of Peel environment clubs
and contacts, contacts to environmental organizations that offer
student programs, how-to guides, ideas and funding opportunities,
and an online student discussion forum.
Save
our Environment
The Save Our Environment Action Center is a collaborative effort
of American environmental advocacy organizations that increase public
awareness and activism on important environmental issues, including
air, land, water, forests, oceans, wildlife and the planet's climate.
Sierra
Club of Canada
Founded in 1892, issues on the Sierra Club's agenda range from climate
change and energy to toxic chemical contamination and loss of biological
diversity. The Sierra Club has been active in Canada since 1969,
working on matters of public policy and environmental awareness
through local chapters and working groups in every region of the
country.
World
Environmental Organization
The World Environmental Organization contains news, tips and links
to more than 1,000 environment-related websites on the following
topics: climate, energy, the environment, sustainable growth, pollution,
recycling, wetlands and wildlife. The list of links can be found
by scrolling down the home page.
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Sustainable
development
Engineers
Without Borders
The United Nations' Millennium Development Goals are aimed at halving
world poverty by 2015. Engineers Without Borders is a charitable
organisation dedicated to meeting this challenge.
Falls
Brook Centre
Falls Brook Centre works on a range of successful regional and international
programs that support local communities and organizations to adapt
to a sustainable future. Through the development and promotion of
meaningful demonstrations, the centre hopes to show that it is possible
to live more lightly in our environment while contributing positively
to the local economy.
Friends
of the Earth International
A federation of environmental organizations from all over the world,
Friends of the Earth International campaigns on environmental and
social issues, while advocating a shift toward sustainable societies.
Members in 68 countries have made efforts to create a healthier
planet and sustainable societies by stopping destructive dam building,
banning international whaling and eliminating subsidies to corporate
polluters. Links provide information on current campaigns including
climate change, desertification and forests.
Learning
for a Sustainable Future
Learning for a Sustainable Future is a Canadian non-profit organization
that works with educators to integrate sustainable development into
school curricula. Based on recommendations made at the United Nations
Conference on the Environment and Sustainable Development, held
in Rio de Janeiro in 1992, LSF emphasizes the role of education
in the promotion of sustainable development as a key in learning
for the whole society.
OneWorld
OneWorld aims to be the online media gateway that most effectively
informs a global audience about human rights and sustainable development.
OneWorld envisions a world where resources are shared fairly and
sustainably, where human rights are nurtured and protected, and
where democratic governance structures enable people to shape their
own lives.
PopPlanet
PopPlanet resources include abstracts and links to over 14,000 books,
reports, articles, organizations, and other materials on many topics
including climate change, biodiversity, freshwater and food. The
link to "PopPlanet Country Profiles" provides an overview
of environmental issues, maps and satellite images, information
about environmental laws and treaties and other facts for more than
15 countries. This site is managed by the American National Council
for Science and the Environment.
World
Accord
World Accord is a not-for-profit, non-governmental, international
development organization. The organization works with partners in
Canada and overseas to provide sustainable education, training and
self-help programs for the poor in the developing world. World Accord
supports community groups who work at the grassroots level to provide
services that will help participants to improve their standard of
living in a sustainable manner.
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Water
See
Freshwater
Website in the Canadian Government section.
Ryan's
Well Foundation
Without access to clean water, people become ill and sometimes even
die. Ryan Hreljac learned this at the age of six and has been raising
funds for projects in developing countries since. His work has helped
change the lives of thousands of people in Africa. Ryan's vision
is for all of Africa to have clean water. Visit the site to learn
more about current projects.
Water
– United Nations CyberSchoolBus
One in six people don't have regular access to safe drinking water.
Visit this site to read facts about water, find out if you're water
friendly and take the water quiz.
Water
– Use it Wisely
This website provides water conservation tips by emphasizing simple
changes to daily habits – from taking shorter showers to fixing
a leaky faucet. These changes can save water and help protect natural
resources.
WaterCan
WaterCan helps citizens of developing countries build sustainable
water supply and sanitation services, and encourages Canadians to
lend support. WaterCan identifies and supports local partners to
carry out small-scale water and sanitation projects.
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Wildlife
Canadian
Wildlife Federation
Since 1962, CWF has advocated the protection of Canada's wild species
and spaces. By spreading knowledge of human impacts on the environment,
sponsoring research, promoting the sustainable use of natural resources,
recommending legislative changes, and cooperating with like-minded
partners, CWF is dedicated to fostering awareness and appreciation
of our natural world.
Defenders
of Wildlife
Defenders of Wildlife is dedicated to the protection of all native
wild animals and plants in their natural communities. The organization
focuses its programs on what scientists consider some of the most
serious environmental threats to the planet: the accelerating rate
of extinction of species, the associated loss of biological diversity,
and habitat alteration and destruction.
Definitive
Guide to Mammals – Animal Planet
From carnivores and cetaceans to sirenians and ungulates, get a
detailed look at the mating, survival skills and recreational habits
of mammals. The guide is part of the Animal Planet website, which
provides information about endangered species and the latest animal
news.
eNature.com
As part of the American National Wildlife Federation, eNature.com
provides content and nature discovery tools, including resources
about backyard wildlife habitats, field guides and wildlife lists.
Field guides include information about endangered and threatened
species.
World
Wildlife Fund of Canada
Founded in 1967, World Wildlife Fund Canada is one of the country's
leading conservation organizations, enjoying the active support
of more than 50,000 Canadians. As a member of the WWF
international network, WWF Canada works to stop the degradation
of the planet's natural environment. WWF Canada also works to build
a future in which humans live in harmony with nature by conserving
the world's biological diversity, ensuring that the use of renewable
resources is sustainable, and promoting the reduction of pollution
and wasteful consumption.
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Leadership,
education, action and volunteering
Canadian
Crossroads International
Canadian Crossroads International is an international non-profit
organization dedicated to building a constituency of global citizens
committed to voluntarism, international development and social action
in the new millennium. CCI actively contributes to creating a sustainable
and equitable world by working in partnership, facilitating learning
and exchange across cultures, and raising awareness of global issues.
Canadian
Environmental Network
The Canadian Environmental Network facilitates networking between
environmental organizations and others who share its mandate—to
protect the earth and promote ecologically sound ways of life. CEN
works directly with concerned citizens and organizations to protect,
preserve and restore the environment, and to affect how society
thinks about environmental issues. Look for information on the Youth
Environment Network under the "Special Projects" link.
People
& Planet Friendly
Founded in 1998, People & Planet Friendly is a Canadian non-profit
service that provides listings of events and activities, courses,
jobs and volunteering opportunities. Portals, links and news forums
on this website provide information on peace, the environment, sustainable
living, food, community, communication, democracy and human rights.
TakingITGlobal
TakingITGlobal is an international organization led by youth and
empowered by technology. TIG brings together young people in more
than 200 countries within international networks to collaborate
on concrete projects addressing global problems and creating positive
change.
Voluntary
Services Overseas (VSO) Canada
VSO Canada is a national partner of VSO, the world's largest independent
international development agency working through volunteers. Since
1958, more than 29,000 men and women have participated in VSO by
sharing their skills with people in developing countries.
Youth
Challenge International
Youth Challenge International combines community development, health
promotion and environmental education in adventurous projects conducted
by international teams of volunteers aged 18 to 25 years. Youth
participants come from every region of Canada and represent all
walks of life. International programs take place throughout the
year in both Guyana and Costa Rica.
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