Just because we are all stuck at home, it doesn't mean that we can't celebrate Earth Day! This week we talk about how to celebrate Earth Day from a safe distance and what we can do year-round to make a difference for the world. In She Was a Girl Guide You Know, we talk about the former head of the EPA and the Climate Czar for the White House, Carol Browner! We wrap it up with a campfire like we do every week and talk about Tall Trees, a song that somehow has no history, but does have actions.
Guiding and the Environment
Since its inception, the Girl Guide movement has been dedicated to environmental stewardship. In fact, it's written right into our promise and law!
For example, in our Canadian Girl Guide law, there are two distinct lines that stand out to us in relation to the environment and they are: to use my resources wisely, and protect our common environment. The former speaks to a direct action that we can take, while the latter is a more open ended commitment. Using our resources wisely can take many forms, including reusing recyclable items for crafts or being mindful of how much water you use. Protecting our common environment may look like a litter pick-up or shoreline cleanup, leave-no-trace camping, or learning about endangered species.
When we look at the promise, it's a little more vague but it's definitely in there. The line "I will take action for a better world" is generic, but we think that part of fulfilling this part of the promise includes environmental stewardship, among other things.
Earth Day at Home
At the time of recording this episode, we are still holding virtual meetings due to COVID-19 restrictions. Therefore, we thought it may be helpful if we put together a list of activities and games that you can do from home! So whether you're celebrating Earth day in the future or planning a virtual meeting themed on the environment, we hope that you find something useful below.
Check out GGC's Nature @ Home activities on the Girls First website (these @ Home activities are open to the public and made with COVID-19 restrictions in mind)
Make no-sew reusable shopping bags using an old t-shirt
Watch a video about the history of Earth Day, like this one
Try the 20 steps challenge - take 20 steps from your door and capture a photo or draw a picture of what you see
Make a tin can lantern
Make fire starters using old wax candles and wax paper
Check out EarthDay.org's daily challenges
Check out Teen Vogue's 10 things to Do to Celebrate Earth Day
Carol Browner: Climate Czar
People often refer to Carol Browner as a "climate czar". Why? Well, you don't have to look far to find out.
Throughout her career, Carol has worked with various levels of government to enact climate policies, kickstart environmental programs, and respond to climate disasters. She is an advocate for all things climate, and it all stems from her childhood.
When she was a girl, Carol would ride her bike and take hikes in the nearby Everglades. She grew up with a close connection to the natural world and came to respect its intricacies and accessibility. We imagine that being a Girl Scout also helped shape her values and respect for nature. Out of University, Carol went straight to work, helping to revise her home state's (Florida) Conservation and Recreational Lands Program. She became involved with various groups and organizations, acting as director, legal counsel, and chair. She spoke publicly on numerous occasions about environmental issues that were important to her.
Carol served in a prominent role in the federal government's response to the BP Oil Spill of 2010 and brokered a deal with Walt Disney World that would allow it to build on the wetlands it owned in exchange for doing $40 million of work to restore endangered wetlands nearby. She also worked with world leaders to create better environmental policies, including Al Gore and Barack Obama.
Time and time again, when the nation has set a new environmental standard, the naysayers have warned that it will cost too much, that it will impose an enormous economic burden on the American people. But, once we have set those standards, American ingenuity and innovation have found a solution at a far lower cost than predicted. ... American businesses have risen to these challenges before, and they will do it again; all they need is predictability and flexibility.”
Carol Browner, New York Times
Carol is one of many environmentalists who continues to fight for our planet, calling governments out on their inaction and investing in ideas like nuclear energy and carbon reduction via micro-mobility.
Campfire: Tall Trees
Tall Trees is a favourite of ours, and is very easy to learn! The lyrics (see listed below), are just the one chorus that is repeated. It can be sung in a round, and you can add actions too once you've mastered the lyrics.
Tall trees that reach the sky,
Mountains and lakes nearby,
Draw near my friends,
Come sing my friends,
Our campfire time is night
Actions
Tall trees that reach the sky - trace a Christmas tree shape with your fingers, starting at the bottom, and working to the top, doing one side of the tree with each hand.
Mountains – draw a triangle from the tip down with no bottom.
and lakes nearby – mimic waves with your hands.
Draw near my friends, – with open arms, bring your hands in to cover your chest.
Come sing my friends – lower your arms and hands back out to an open stance
Our campfire times is nigh – direct your open hands towards the campfire (or middle of the circle)
Listen to Episode 8 now to hear all of this and more! You can also catch up on all of our previous episodes, either right here on our website or on your favourite podcast app (Spotify, Apple, Google, Anchor, etc.).
Follow us @guidesown on Twitter and Instagram for podcast news, discussions, and snippets from behind-the-scenes. If you'd like to contribute to an episode of Guides' Own, send us your ideas for topics, program, campfire songs, etc. via our Contact page.
Happy Earth Day!
Taryn & Marissa